



































2 













OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; 


•7 


OR 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING 


IN THE 

SOUTH-WEST. 

-A. RECORD OF THE 

Campaigns, Sieges, Actions and Marches 

IN WHICH THE 

8th WISCONSIN. VOLUNTEERS 


HAVE PARTICIPATED. 


TOGETHER WITH CORRESPONDENCE, 


































F % 2*>T 

p™- 































* 




TO THE SOLDIERS 

OF THE 

EAQLE EIGHTH 



THIS LITTLE VOLUME 

IS 


Respectfully Dedicated. 


X 




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PREFACE. 


The object of flic writer, in presenting these sketches of the travels of 
the 8th Regt. Wis. Vols., and the incidents connected therewith, is merely 
to present a truthful and correct record of events for historical reference, 
which may at all times be relied on as to dates and transactions, a round 
“ unvarnished tale,” without coloring of any kind, of the battles and skir¬ 
mishes participated in by the regiment during the preceeding two years, 
which may prove of interest to the general reader, and of great importanc, 
to all who have been connected with it, in any of the numerous compaigns 
in which it has honorably and creditably performed its part, receiving the 
highest encomiums from all commanders under whom it has had the honor 
to serve; also, by the friends of the regiment (which, it is to be hoped, 
are many,) this little volume maybe perused with feelings of satisfaction 
and pride, that their patronage has been so nobly deserved. 

In writing the history of this, one of the thousand regiments engaged in 
vindicating our country’s honor, it is the intention of the author to enter 
more fully into detail than would be given by the passing historian, in 

writing a description of the whole; giving scenes and incidents as they oc- 

rr • 

cured—compiled originally from the author’s private memorandum—from notes 

“£ r rr 

joted at the time of occurence, and destined for his own particular use, he 
has been induced to give publicity to them, at the request of many friends, 
who wish for a preservation of records for their own use, and the use of 
their friends. Laboring under the peculiar difficulties of a life in the field, 



VI 


PREPACE. 


with an army in constant active operation, these, the writer offers as an 
apology for any errors which may occur in the following pages. 

This little work is not got up for mere speculation, and may not have 
a wide circulation, but for reference in regard to facts and dates of trans¬ 
actions, it has been the particular aim to make it a correct and reliable 
work, to which may be added other interesting events as they occur during 
the organization of the regiment. Should these sketches prove serviceable, 
and of interest to the general reader, it will add greatly to that gratification 
which an extensive circulation of the work will be likely to confer. 

Gr. W. IX 





ROSTER OF STH WIS. YOLS., OCT. 12TH, 1861. 


Field Officers. 

Colonel .—Robert C. Murphy, St. Croix Couuty, Wis. 

Lt. Colonel .—George W. Robbins, Dane “ “ 

Major .—John W. Jefferson, “ “ 

Staff Officers. 

Adjutant .—Ezra D. Sprague, Dane County, Wis. 
Quarter-Master .—Francis L. Billings, Winnebago County, Wis. 
Surgeon .—Samuel P. Thornhill, St. Croix “ 

Assistant Surgeon .—William Hobbins, “ <e 

State Assistant Surgeon .—Joseph E. Murta, Racine “ “ 

Chaplain .—William McKinley, St. Croix “ “ 





Non-Commissioned Staff. 

Sergeant Major. —John Woodworth, Eau Claire County, Wis. 

Quarter-Master Sergeant. —Charles L. Noggle, Rock Couuty Wis. 
Commissarg Sergeant. —Arthur L. Hungerford, St. Croix County, Wis. 
Hospital Steioard. —James A. Jackson, Dane County, Wis. 

Drum Major. —Francis N. Keeley, Rock “ u 

Principal Musician.— Sam’l W. Jones. 

Comi*an v “A.”— Waufacoa County, Wis, 

Captain. —Josiah B. Redfield. 

First Lieutenant. —Melvin B. Patcliin. 

Second Lieutenant. —Rinaldo J. Baker—100 men. 

Company “B.”—Sheboygan County, Wis. 

Captain. —David B. Conger. 

First Lieutenant. —John A. Smith. 

Second Lieutenant. —Carlos D. Stephens—106 men. 

Company “C.”—Eau Claire County, Wis. 

Captain. —John E. Perkins. 

First Lieutenant. —Victor Wolf. 

Second Lieutenant. —Seth Pierce—98 men. 

Company “D.”—Dodge County, Wis. 

Captain. —William J. Dawes. 

First Lieutenant. —Benjamin S. Williams. 

Second Lieutenant. —Hiram Williamson—93 men. 





8 


ROSTER OF STH WISCONSIN VOLUNTEERS. 


Company “E.”— Dane County, Wis. 
Captain. —William C. Young. 

First Lieutenant. —James M. Gilbert. 

Second Lieutenant. —Marvin H. Helms—72 men. 

Company “F.”—Crawford County, Wis. 

Captain. —James H. Greene. 

First Lieutenant. —Zenas Beach. 

Second Lieutenant. —James Berry—105 men. 

Company u G. : ’—Rock County, Wis. 

Captain. —William B. Britton. 

First Lieutenant. —Charles P. King. 

Second Lieutenant. —Richard D. Beamish—76 men. 

Company “H.’ j — Green County, Wis. 
Captain .—Stephen Estee. 

First Lieutenant. —La Fayette Munsell. 

Second Lieutenant. —Peter B. Willoughby—86 men. 

Company ‘‘I.” —La Crosse County, Wis. 

Captain. —Milo M. Baker. 

First Lieutenant .—Alonzo D. Hickok. 

Second Lieutenant. —Henry M. Lathrop—102 men. 

Company “K.” —Racine County, Wis. 

Captain. —William P. Lyon. 

First Lieutenant. —Albert E. Smith. 

Second Lieutenant. —James 0. Bartlett—100 men. 

Band. —12. 

Sutler .—Lysander Moak, Milwaukee County, Wis. 
Aggregate—990. 


TRANSCRIPT OF MORNING REPORT OF 8th WISCONSIN VOLUNTEERS, OCT. 12th, 1861. 


REPORT OF 8TH WISCONSIN VOLUNTEERS 


Remarks. 


I’pksent 

AND 

Absent. 


o 

CO 

o 

•uajv[ paisjiug 

r— < 

O 

O 

‘saaoiyo pduotBSumuoo 

CO 

CO 

Absent. 

•najs pajspua pnoj, 


•saaoipo pauojssiimuoQ ibjoj. 



In 

arrest. 

•uok paispua 



•gjaoiyo pauoissirumoo 



■ 

Sick. 

■uaK P 3 l s !l u 3 

rH 

•saaogjo pauoissiuraiOQj 



Without 

leave. 

■uapi patsiiua 

CO 

•saaoyjo panoissiunnoo 



On fur¬ 
lough. 

•uajM parspua 



•sjaatyO pauoissiaiuioQ 



On de¬ 
tached 
service. 

'U3K pajsijua 



•saaaiyo pauoissionnoQ 



H 

55 

W 

rfl 

w 

PS 

Ch 

•uok papuiua pnox 

N 

o 

•sjooibo pauoissuuraoQ pnox 

o 

CO 

•** 

CO 

o 

5 

a 

H- < 

•uajv pa}si[ua 



•s.iaogjO psuoissiumioQ 



Extra 

duty. 

•uaiv paisiiug 

CO 

•saaoiyo pauoissiimnoQ 



Sick. 

•uajv paiSRua 

CO 

rH 

•s.iaogjo pauoTssraiuioQ 



For duty. 

” U3 K P 9 1 s ll u a 

rH 

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Station. 

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I 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; 

OR 



The regimental organization of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteers 
dates from the 4th of September, 1861. The companies were 
sworn into the United States service at “Camp Randall,” Madison, 
Wis., as follows: 

Co. “G,” of Rock county, Capt. Wm. B. Britton, commanding—Sept. 4th, 1861. 

Co. “ A,” of Waupacca county, Capt. J. B. Redfield, commanding—Sept. 5th, 1861. 

Co. “F,” of Crawford county, Capt. Jas. H. Greene, commanding—Sept. 6th, 1861. 

Co. “ C,” of Eau Claire county, Capt. Jno. E. Perkins, commanding—Sept. 9th, 1861.> 

Co. “ D,” of Dodge comity, Capt. Wm. J. Dawes, commanding—Sept. 11th, 1861. 

Co. “ FT,” of Green county, Capt. Stephen Estee, commanding—Sept. 11th, 1861. 

Co. “B,” of Sheboygan county, Capt. D. B. Conger, commanding—Sept. 12th, 1861. 

Co. “E,” of Dane county, Capt. Wm. C. Young, commanding—Sept. 12th, 1861. 

Co. “ I,” of La Crosse county, Capt. M. M. Baker, commanding—Sept. 13th, 1861. 

Co. “ K,” of Racine county, Capt. Wm. P. Lyon, commanding—Sept. 17th, 1861. 

From the date of the organization of the regiment to the date 
of its departure for the field, it rendezvoused at “ Camp Randall/’ 
Madison, Wis. On the 12th of October, 1861, the aggregate 
strength being 990, the regiment, under command of Col. R. C. 
Murphy, took its departure for the seat of war. Arriving at St. 
Louis, Mo., per Illinois Central Railroad, a distance of 530 miles, 
on the morning of the 4th it disembarked, and parched through 
the principal streets towards “Benton Barracks,” where we were 
favored with a speech from Secretary Cameron and Gen. Thomas, 
Adjutant General, U. S. A., complimenting highly, the general 
appearance of the regiment. This being the first regiment from 
Wisconsin, which had arrived in the southwestern part of the 
Union, and our “American Live Eagle” being conspicuously dis- 




12 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


played near the colors, the enthusiasm the appearance of the re¬ 
giment created along its march was immense. A long stay in 
Benton Barracks was anticipated, but in this, we were disappointed. 
The following morning (15th) the right wing, under command of 
Lt. Col. Bobbins, assisted by Major Jefferson, was ordered to pro¬ 
ceed forthwith on Iron Mountain Railroad, to Victoria, a distance of 
thirty-five miles—deeming it prudent, proceeded ten miles further 
to DeSoto, where it arrived at 11J p. m., and laid on arms in the 
rain till morning, expecting an attack from the enemy, but he did 
not make his appearance, only in the shape of huge stumps, shad¬ 
ows, trees, etc., which, from their mutilated appearance next 
morning, showed conclusively, that the men were on the alert. 
Left wing arrived next day, and remaining at DeSoto till the fol¬ 
lowing morning, the regiment proceeded to Big River Bridge, a 
distance of five miles, where the enemy, 1,500 strong, under the 
notorious Jeff. Thompson, two days previous, had attacked a small 
force of thirty-five men, who were guarding the bridge, taking them 
prisoners, and burning the bridge. Thus, upon our arrival, finding 
no transportation to convey our baggage across the river, the men 
were obliged to carry it across on their backs , a distance of half a 
mile, wading the stream waist-deep, and performing the feat in 
three hours. All the Camp and Garrison equipage being then 
across the river, Col. Murphy proceeded immediately with three 
companies for Pilot Knob, Mo., the balance of the regiment, (ex¬ 
cept Co. “G,” which remained at the bridge to guard the baggage,) 
followed at 8 p. m., and arrived at the “Knob” at 11 p. m., a 
distance of twenty miles, where the regiment bivouacked for the 
night, remaining here one day. 

On the 20th of October the regiment, together with the 21st, 
33d and 38th Illinois Volunteers, 400 Indiana Cavalry, “ Hawkins’ 
Missouri Independent Cavalry,” and four 6-pounders under com¬ 
mand of Capt. Manter—the whole force being under command of 
Col. Carlin, of the 38th Illinois Volunteers took up the line of march 
for Fredericktown, Mo., twenty-two miles distant, at which place, 
Jeff. Thompson was reported to be encamped with 4,000 men. It 
was 4 p. m. when the troops moved from the “ Knob’’—marched 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


13 


all night (resting tv/o hours only during the march,) and arrived 

at F -> 8 a - m - nex t morning, and finding that the enemy had 

retreated towards Greenville the previous day, the men being much 
exhausted laid down in the streets to sleep. Here we were joined 
at 12 m. by Col. Plummer, with 1,700 men from Cape Girardiau, 
when the united forces at 3 p. in. marched towards Greenville, 
and after proceeding one mile and a half, descried the enemy in 
the woods, drawn up in line of battle. Our artillery immediately 
opened on him, and after a desperate fight of two hours, with 
equal determination on both sides, the enemy were totally routed 
and driven from the field, with a loss of 300 killed and wounded, 
while our loss was 8 killed and 33 wounded. On the following 
morning our forces marched in pursuit of the enemy towards 
Greenville, fourteen miles, but finding no trace of him, returned next 
day to Fredericktown, and on the following day, reached Pilot 
Knob, where the regiment went into camp. During the whole of 
this expedition the regiment subsisted on “Scant Rations,” and 
bivouacked at night, without blankets or covering of any kind. 
(Loss—one man killed.) 

On the 5th November, same force, under command of Col. Car- 
lio the troops in heavy marching order, baggage and provision 
train along—started on an expedition in search of the enemy in 
southeast Missouri. Marched first day about twelve miles, the sec¬ 
ond day about ten miles, reaching Greenville, Wayne county, the 
third day about 10 a. m., remaining here during the day—forded 
the “St. Francis River” just before entering the town. Next 
day continued the march in direction of “ Bloomfield,” Stoddard 
county, crossed the St. Francis River, and marched ten miles and 
encamped in a grazing field, near a fine Spring. Here the Regi¬ 
ment was joined by two native recruits. Started next morning at 
sunrise, marched eighteen miles to “Indian Ford,” on the St. Francis 
River, and encamped about sunset on the river bottom, near Mingo 
Swamp. Part of the wagon train having failed to come into camp, 
as a consequence, some of the companies bivouaced in open air, 
and on scant rations. Having become satisfied that the enemy 
had left the country, the Colonel commanding, ordered a retrograde 


14 


OPENING- OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OK 


movement, and we reached Pilot Knob on the 15th, about 2 p. 
m., having marched altogether, a distance of 150 miles, over a 
rough, broken country. A large number, about 100 men were 
brought back in wagons sick, mostly with measles. 

On the 25th November, the regiment was ordered to leave, and 
arrived same day at “ Camp Curtis,” Sulpher Springs, Mo., on 
Iron Mountain Railroad, where it went into camp, near the 14th 
Wisconsin Volunteers, which had arrived but a few days previous 
from the State. Col. Murphy was assigned to the command of the 
post, and here the men were made proficient in drill and camp 
duties. Major Jefferson was placed in command of the troops be¬ 
tween Big River Bridge and Pilot Knob, with orders to keep open 
communication between the Knob and St. Louis, while companies 
“B,” U C,” “F,” “I,” and “K,” were detached from the command, 
being stationed at Victoria, Baily Station, Big River Bridge, etc., 
on Iron Mountain Railroad—duties, guarding bridges. 

Remained at Sulpher Springs until the 17th January, 1862, 
when the regiment was ordered to Cairo, arriving via Terra Haute 
and Indianapolis Railroad on the 19th, a distance of 360 miles— 
went into barracks near n Fort Defiance,” where it remained until 
the 4th of March, performing guard duty and drilling. On 12th 
February company “K,” was detached from the command—being 
ordered to Mound City, Illinois, six miles up the Ohio River— 
duties, guarding Post. Rejoined the Regiment at New Madrid, 
Mo., on 13th April. On 13th February the right wing, under 
command of Col. Murphy, embarked with Gen. Paine, on steamer 
Hannibal , and proceeded to Paducah, Ky., a distance of forty 
miles up the Ohio river, where they took in charge Gen. Tilgh- 
rnan and staff and 130 prisoners, captured at “ Fort Henry,” and 
returned to Cairo on the 15th. Next day the prisoners were put on 
board the cars, and in charge of Col. Murphy, with detachments from 
companies “ A ” and “ C,” proceeded to Alton, Ills., a distance of 
300 miles, where they arrived on 17th—returning to Cairo on 19th. 
On 23d February, Col. Murphy, with a detachment of 300 men, 
was ordered to report on board steamer Illinois , and accompany 
Gen. Cullum on an armed reconnisance near Columbus, Ky., a dis- 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN TIIE SOUTHWEST. 


15 


tance of twenty miles below, and returned to Cairo same day. On 
23d, company “ E,” Capt. Young, was ordered to report on board 
steamer Taylor , to take charge of prisoners from Fort Donelson, 
and proceeded to St. Louis, and afterwards returned to Cairo on 
the 27th. 

March 4th, 1862, the regiment left Cairo for active held service, 
the line of march being upon the Cairo and Fulton Railroad. 
Jeff. Thompson having burned the bridges, and destroyed a por¬ 
tion of the trestle work on the line a few days before, detachments 
of the regiment were obliged to rebuild two large bridges and re¬ 
pair the road, that subsistance might be brought up to the army 
that was then advancing into the interior. The road being com¬ 
pleted to Sykestown, a distance of twenty miles from Cairo, on 
the 10th, the 8th Wisconsin, together with the 11th Iowa, 10th 
and 16th Illinois, and 26th Missouri Volunteers, resumed the 
march to within two miles of Gen. Pope’s command, near New 
Madrid, Mo. Here they bivouacked for the night and waited or¬ 
ders, having marched that day eighteen miles, and on the follow¬ 
ing morning the 8th Regiment alone was ordered to report to Gen. 
Plummer, then in command of a brigade near Point Pleasant, 
Mo., about twenty-three miles distant on the Mississippi River. 
The regiment had no cavalry escort, but reached the camp in 
safety about 10 a. m., on the 12th. The duties at this point were 
both dangerous and laborious, as the regiment was on duty every 
other night, manning the rifle-pits on the river bank, to prevent 
the landing of rebel gunboats, which they accomplished with 
complete success. The enemy had batteries and pits on the op¬ 
posite shore, from which they were directing their fire upon us 
night and day. 

On the 7th of April, 1862, the regiment, with Gen. Plummer’s 
command, marched to New Madrid, a distance of eleven miles— 
crossed the river at midnight on transports, to assist in preventing 
the retreat of the rebel forces from “ Island 10.” The regiment 
having the honor of assisting in the capture of 6,000 of the 
enemy on the 8th. For the gallantry displayed by the regiment 
in this campaign, Gen. Pope ordered that “ New Madrid ” and 


16 


OPENING- OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


“ Island 10” be inscribed on our banners. Returned to New Ma¬ 
drid with prisoners on the 9th, where we remained until the 14th, 
and embarking on steamer McLellan , the fleet, with Gen. Pope’s 
command moved down the river about ten miles below Tiptonville 
when it was ordered back to Tiptonville and remained three days, 
when the fleet was again ordered down the river, and when within 
about ten miles of Fort Pillow, and fifty below our starting point, 
were ordered back to New Madrid. Thence up the Mississippi, 
Ohio and Tennessee Rivers, arriving at Pittsburg Landing on the 
.22d, and went into camp about four miles above, near Hamburg, 
Tenn. On the 27th the command was ordered to move, and 
marched out on Corinth road about five miles, where it again went 
into camp, remaining three days, and on the 1st of May, the regi¬ 
ment moved six miles to camp near Farmington, Miss. 

On the 9th of May, 1862, the Regiment was engaged in battle 
with the enemy at Farmington, in which our loss was four killed, 
thirty-three wounded, and two missing, (including among the 
killed, Capt. Perkins, company “ C,” and Lieut. Bemish, company 
“ G- ”)• In this engagement the 8th Regiment bore a conspicuous 
part, and proved their valor and courage, without flinching, before 
u galling fire from the enemy’s artillery and infantry, holding him 
in check for one hour, without support. Major Jefferson, in com¬ 
mand of the outposts, with company “ A,” Capt. Bedfield, 8th 
Wisconsin, and seven companies from other regiments, with two 
companies of cavalry, was attacked about 7 a. m., and for four 
hours held the enemy’s skirmishers in check, now advancing in 
force 25,000 strong, under Gen. Bragg. The rebels bringing up two 
batteries and opening with a cross-fire on the Major’s men,the general 
officer of the day (Gen. Palmer) ordered the Major to retire with 
his command to the division, a mile in the rear, which was done in 
good order, skirmishing as he retired—reaching the command, and 
participating in the engagement during its continuance. The ob¬ 
ject of this expedition was to draw out the enemy from Corinth, 
with a view of testing his strength—this being accomplished, our 
forces retired in good order from the field. In an order received soon 
thereafter, the General commanding compliments highly the con- 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 17 

duct of the regiment for the gallantry it displayed, in which he 
adds : “ The old Badger State may feel proud to have the honor 

of being represented by so gallant a regiment as the 8th Wisconsin 
Volunteers, 

On the 17th occupied Farmington, dug trenches, and otherwise 
assisted in fortifying the town, and on the 28th of May, 1862. 
marched one a half miles to the front, and engaged the enemy. 
The contest opened early in the morning with artillery, when, at 
about 12 noon, began the heavy volleys of the musketry. The 
struggle was now being fiercely contested on the left of our line. 
Our brigade, with regiment, was brought into immediate action, 
and when the enemy were approaching on double quick, flushed 
with the hope of soon capturing the 2d Iowa Battery, of which we 
were its support, and when within forty yards of their prize, the 
brigade arose en masse , and opened a deadly volley of musketry 
into the enemy’s ranks, whiob suddenly checked his advance, and 
caused him to turn and flee in wild disorder from the field, leaving 
some 200 killed and wounded in our hands. The regiment, on 
this occasion, was highly complimented by Gens. Tyler and Plum¬ 
mer on the field. Capt. Britton is spoken of in Lieut. Col. Bob¬ 
bins’ report to the Adjutant General, as being of much service in 
aiding him during the day, and Lieut. Smith, of company “K.” 
was promoted to a captaincy for gallantry displayed during the 
engagement. In this action the regiment lost two killed and five 
wounded. During the entire night after the battle, the regiment 
was engaged throwing up earthworks for our siege guns, and pre¬ 
paring for another fight. The next day the regiment was under 
fire from the enemy’s batteries, but occupying the rifle-pits, sus¬ 
tained no loss. 

The enemy having evacuated Corinth on the night of the 29th, 
on the following day, the regiment with brigade, marched a dis¬ 
tance of eight miles south of Corinth and encamped, and on the 
following morning, marched five miles further south, in pursuit of 
the enemy, who were still retreating before us—their flight being so 
rapid, great quantities of their stores and transportation fell into 

our hands. Having followed the enemy, scattering him in every 

2 


18 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


direction, and capturing many prisoners, on the 1st of June, coun¬ 
ter marched to Clear Creek, Miss, (near Corinth), and, on the fol¬ 
lowing day marched south to Booneville, twenty-five miles, where 
the regiment, together with Gen. Plummer’s brigade, remained in 
camp till the 12th, when it again broke camp, and marched back 
to Clear Creek, where it went into summer quarters. On the 29th, 
however, the brigade, under command of Col. Murphy, received 
orders to proceed to Ripley. Marched first day twelve miles, on 
Booneville road to Eienzi, Miss., and here receiving orders to re¬ 
turn, on the following day marched to Danville, six miles, and next 
day reached “ Camp Clear Creek,” nine miles north, at 11 p. m. 
During the stay of the regiment at this camp, it performed guard 
and fatigue duty daily, and the men were made proficient in brig¬ 
ade and battalion drill. 

August 18th, 1862, the Second Brigade, consisting ot the 11th 
Missouri, 26th and 47th Illinois, 5th Minnesota, 8th Wisconsin 
Volunteers, and 2d Iowa Battery, under command of Col. Mur¬ 
phy, 8th Wisconsin, marched to Tuscumbia, Ala., a distance of 
sixty miles, where it arrived on the 22d. Col. Murphy was imme¬ 
diately placed in command of the post, the 8th Regiment detailed 
as Provost Guard, (except Company “F,” Capt. Greene, which 
was ordered to Florence, Ala., three miles distant on the Tennes¬ 
see River, where it remained until the 7th September—duties, 
guarding the .town, etc.,) and Major Jefferson appointed Assistant 
Provost Marshal. On the 31st, Major Jefferson being relieved 
from that duty, was ordered to proceed with regiment in an east¬ 
erly direction towards Decator, Ala. Marched first day sixteen 
miles to Town Creek, when it received orders to return ; accord¬ 
ingly, on the 3d September, regiment counter-marched, and reached 
Tuscumbia at one p. m. Next day (4th) the Major, with four 
companies of regiment, was ordered to proceed by rail, to Court- 
land, at which place it arrived after much delay, (occasioned by 
the stubbornness of a drunken “ secesh ” conductor, who, together 
with all the employees on the train, the Major placed under arrest, 
and caused the soldiers to run the train,) same evening, a distance 
of thirty miles, where it remained that night, and on the following 


;TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


19 


(lay, returned to Tuscumbia, arriving at 7 p. m., being closely 
pursued by the enemy, who were advancing. During this expedi- 
tion the guerrillas, under -‘Roddy,” proved troublesome, while 
this lawless band were burning cotton through the country, and 
threatening us at every point. 

Company “ F ” having rejoined the command on the evening of 
the 7th; on the 8th, at 7 p. m., the regiment, with brigade, 
marched from Tuscumbia twelve miles, on luka road, to “ Kane 
Creek,” where it arrived at 3 p. m. the following day ; halted for 
two hours, when we resumed the march at 5 p. in., and arrived 
at “ Buzzard Boost,” ten miles distant, where we went into camp 
near some fine springs. The following morning, 10th, (the 11th 
Missouri, 26th and 47th Illinois Volunteers, and one section of 
2d Iowa Battery, were here detached from the command, having 
been ordered to Corinth,) finding that “ Boddy ” was threatening 
our rear, counter-marched four miles to Cherokee Station, and 
formed line of battle, but, finding no enemy, returned with 5th 
Minnesota, one section of 2d Iowa Battery, and two companies of 
7th Illinois Cavalry, next morning, to Buzzard Boost, and on the 
following day, our small force marched twelve miles to luka, 
Miss., which place we found had been evacuated by our forces 
some days previous. On 13th September, 1862, were engaged in 
a skirmish with cavalry—Price’s advance—in which the enemy, 
after making three desperate assaults on our lines, (the regiment 
losing fifteen wounded and twenty-four prisoners,) he was repulsed 
each time, and finally driven from the field with great slaughter. 
Finding that our force was insufficient to maintain our position 
against the immense force that was then advancing upon us, 
accordingly, about four o’clock next morning (our transportation 
having been started during the night) we marched for, and arrived 
at Farmington, thirty miles distant, same day, at4p. m., followed 
by about 2,000 negroes. This march, though rather exciting, was 
a tedious one, and the men were much exhausted after marching 
through the heat of a scorching sun, and over a dusty road—were 
annoyed exceedingly with rebel cavalry, who followed up the rear 
of the column, threatening us at every point. Formed line of 


20 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


battle at Burnsville, and wherever the country would admit of it. 
and sent out skirmishers, but the enemy failed to show himself on 
these occasions. Arriving at Farmington, the men sought some 
rest, but were routed up again, and ordered to march back to 
Burnsville; accordingly, at 1 p. m. the following morning, the 
brigade, with regiment, under command of Col. Mower, 11th Mis¬ 
souri, took up the line of march, and arrived at Burnsville, tweb e 
miles distant, at 12 m., and on the following day march for Iuka, 
skirmishing all the way with the enemy. The object of this recon- 
noissance was to learn for a certainty what force was in Iuka. 
Advanced three different times within one and a half miles of Iuka. 
thence to Burnsville,having marched this day about thirty-five miles 
through the rain, encamping at night without tents or blankets, 
and on scant rations. Next day the regiment, with two divisions 
under G-en. Rosecrans, made a detour south, via Jacinto, towards 
Iuka, and on the following day (19th September, 1862) the whole 
force moved at daylight towards Iuka. Met the enemy 25,000 
strong, under Price, one and a half miles out, when a desperate 
battle ensued, continuing three hours, without cessation, until the 
darkness of night closed the contest. During its continuance, it 
was one of the severest engagements of the war—where men fought 
sword to sword and bayonet to bayonet. The 8th Regiment, though 
occupying the reserve, was under a severe fire from the enemy's 
artillery and musketry, yet sustained but slight loss, several being 
wounded, among whom was Capt. Redfield, of Co. “A.” During the 
night, following, the regiment lay on the battle field in line of battle, 
expecting a renewal of the engagement in the morning, but, at 
daylight the enemy was found to have retreated during the night, 
leaving his dead and wounded on the field, when the regiment, 
with Stanley's Division, was at once put in motion in pursuit of 
him. After marching on double-quick about one mile, fell 
in with the enemy’s rear guard, when our artillery at once opened 
on him, driving him in wild confusion before us. This day fol¬ 
lowed the retreating foe to Aberdeen, but finding no prospect of 
overtaking and capturing him, the column was put in motion for 
Corinth, which place, we learned, that Price was preparing to 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


21 


attack, marching via Jacinto, Rienzi and Kossuth, a distance of 
fifty-six miles. Having remained several days at Rienzi, watching 
the enemy s movements, arrived October 3d, about 2 p. m. Found 
the enemy had attacked Corinth, when the regiment, with brigade, 
was at once ordered into action, in which it was engaged during 
the remainder of the day. For three hours, or more, the regiment 
was under a terrific fire, and constantly engaged, losing in that 
time seventeen killed, eighty-one wounded and eighteen missing. 
(The above loss being an average of one in every three engaged.) 
After this day’s engagement closed, the regiment laid down to rest 
during the night, on the battle field—the position being on the 
extreme left of our lines, where the enemy had thrown all his 
forces during the day. On the following morning, the enemy 
having changed his position, attacked our flanks, and the regiment 
being still on the left, well covered by timber, our loss this day 
was two men wounded, only. Having beaten the enemy at every 
point of our lines, and finding him in full retreat, Gen. Rosecrans 
at once ordered haversacks and cartridge boxes filled, and put the 
column in motion in pursuit. On Sunday, the 5th, pressing the 
enemy hard in his rear, and Hurlbut attacking him in the front, we 
captured many prisoners, and caused him to abandon his entire 
train, consisting of ammunition, quartermaster’s stores and arms, 
wbich were strewn for miles on the trail of his retreat. October 
6th and 7th were still in pursuit of the enemy, driving him to and 
through Ripley, Miss., a distance from Corinth of forty-one miles, 
at which place the pursuit by the infantry ceased, when Major Jef¬ 
ferson was assigned to the command of the post, by Gen. Rose¬ 
crans, and the 8th Wisconsin detailed as Provost Guard, Capt. 
Greene being assigned as Provost Marshal. The enemy having 
broken up and scattered, on the 10th, the regiment, with Stanley’s 
Division, marched back to Corinth, a distance of forty-one miles, 
arriving on the 12th, where the regiment went into camp near the 
town, remaining until the 2d of November, during which time the 
regiment was engaged in building fortifications and performing 
guard duty. 

On the 2d of November, 1862, the regiment, with a large force, 


22 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OK 


under command of Gen. C. S. Hamilton, of Wisconsin, marched 
for Grand Junction, Tenn., where it arrived, after a fatiguing 
march of fifty miles, on the night of the 4th, when the regiment 
bivouacked in a large cotton field—the nights being cold, the men 
sought but little rest. Remained in this position until the 14tli, 
when it moved camp three miles to the front. On the 17th 
marched five miles, to “ Davis’ Mills,” where it remained until the 
28th, performing guard duty, etc., when the force marched south 
fourteen miles, and encamped on Cold Water Creek. On the 29tli 
marched ten miles to u Lumpkins’ Mills,” passing through Holly 
Springs, Miss., during the day. Next day moved camp two miles 
south, and on the 5th December, marched four miles, and en¬ 
camped at Waterford, near the Tallahatchie river, where we re¬ 
mained until the 10th, during which time large detachments of the 
regiment, under command of Capts. Britton and Young, were en¬ 
gaged in building and repairing burned bridges on the Mississippi 
Central Railroad. December 10th. crossed the Tallahatchie river 
and marched twelve miles to Abbyville. (Here company “ E,” 
Capt. Young, with a large detachment of the 47th Illinois volun¬ 
teers, was detached from the command, being ordered back to the 
•* Tallahatchie, to rebuild burned bridge, where it remained sev¬ 
eral days, taking up quarters at a planter’s house, near the river, 
and rejoined the command, at Oxford, on the 19th.) On the 11th 
the regiment marched fourteen miles to Oxford, Miss., where it 
was detailed am* provost guard, remaining on that duty until the 
20th of December, when the brigade, with regiment, marched to 
railroad depot, and took cars for the “ Tallahatchie,” at which 
place we disembarked, and had a skirmish with the enemy. The 
cars having returned tp Oxford to bring up reinforcements, the 
regiment pro€-eedej.o« s 4W4 to Waterford, seven miles north of the 
river, where it remained during the night, companies “ G,” “ H ” 
and u K being detailed for picket. On the 21st, the regiment, 
with about 5,000 other troops, marched for Holly Springs, eighteen 
miles distant. Arriving, was at once assigned to duty to restore or¬ 
der in the city. The enemy, after sacking the town, made good his 
escape before our arrival. Remained on duty until 11 p. m . of 




TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 23 

the following day, when the regiment, together with the 17th and 
32d Wisconsin, and 93d Indiana Volunteers, in compliance with 
orders from Gen. Hamilton, proceeded immediately to Grand 
Junction. Marched all that night, halting one hour only at day- 
light, and reached the “ Junction ” same afternoon about 4 o’clock, 
having marched a distance of thirty-five miles in sixteen hours. 
The regiment bivouacked in a cotton field adjoining the town,~a»d 
this being one of the most fatiguing marches the regiment ever 
participated in, and the men having had no sleep for three nights 
previous, without tents, blankets or covering of any kind, they found 
but little rest during the night. On the 24th December marched to 
La Grange, Tenn., a distance of three miles, at which place the 
regiment went into camp inside of a fort constructed of cotton 
bales, and on the 25th December, this day being u Christmas,” the 
regiment celebrated the day by hoisting an immense flag on the 
works. Remained at this place until January 8th, 1863. during 
which time the regiment was occupied rebuilding bridges, work¬ 
ing on fortifications and performing guard duty. On the 8th 
January left La Grange for Corinth, marching via Bolivar, Tenn., 
and arriving at Corinth on the 13th, after a tiresome march of eighty 
miles, without tents to shelter the men from the cold frosts of Jan¬ 
uary. On the morning of the 20th January companies “ B ” and 
G” were ordered to proceed by rail, via Jackson and Bolivar, to 
Germantown, Tenn. On the, 21st companies 4£ E ” and “ K ” pro¬ 
ceeded by same route, and, on the following day the remaining 
companies, under command of Lieut. Col. Robbins, left Corinth by 
same route, and arrived at Germantown same day, a distance of 
120 miles. During the remainder of the month, and the month of 
February, and until March 11th, the regiment w r as employed 
building fortifications and performing provost and picket guard 
duty. On the 11th March the regiment, with brigade, took its 
departure from Germantown, inarched twelve miles, and went into 
camp three miles east of Memphis, and on the 13th, marched into 
the city and embarked on steamer Empress, and proceeded 
down the Mississippi river, eight miles south of Helena. Ark., 
where it arrived on the 15th, a distance of 108 miles. Disembarked 


24 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


and went into camp on Arkansas shore, opposite mouth of “ Yazoo 
Pass.” On the 29th, regiment embarked on steamer Ben Frank - 
lin, and proceeded down the river to “ Transylvania Landing,” 
La., a distance of 150 miles, where it arrived on the 30th, dis em¬ 
barked, and on the following day, re-embarked on same steamer, 
and proceeded down the river towards Vicksburg. Arriving at 
‘‘Duck Port,” near Young’s Point, La., opposite mouth of Yazoo 
river, a distance of 142 miles, on the 1st of April—dis-embarked 
on Louisiana shore, and went into camp. During the month of 
April the regiment was employed on fatigue duty, digging on ca¬ 
nal, building roads, performing guard duty, and preparing steamers 
to run the blockade. 

On the 2d day of May, 18(53, the regiment with den. Tuttle’s 
Division, marched en route for Hard Times Landing, La., proceed¬ 
ed ten miles and went into camp for the night. On 3d, marched 
fourteen miles and encamped at Richmond, La. On 4th marched 
eighteen miles, and camped on Smith’s Plantation. On 5th, at 
sundown, arrived and went into camp at Perkins’ Plantation, 
on Mississippi river. On the 6th marched ten miles and encamp¬ 
ed on the shore of Lake St. Joseph. May 7th marched ten miles, 
arriving at Hard Times Landing at 4 p. m., where regiment em¬ 
barked on gunboat Louisville and crossed the Mississippi river to 
Grand Gulf, four miles—disembarked, and on the following morn¬ 
ing proceeded sixteen miles to camp, near Port Gibson. On 9th 
marehed to Rocky Springs, Miss., a distance of eight miles, where 
we remained until the morning of the 11th, when the forces again 
resumed the march, and proceeded sixteen miles, camping on 
Barr’s Plantation, near Edward’s Depot. May 12th marched six¬ 
teen miles—skirmished with the enemy at Fourteen Mile Creek, 
and went into camp about sunset. On 13th passed through Ray¬ 
mond, skirmished with the enemy, driving him to Mississippi 
Springs, where we went into camp, having marched twelve miles 
this day. May 14th marched fourteen miles, and advancing on the 
enemy, drove him to Jackson, Miss. At 12 o’clock m., formed 
line of battle, charged the rebel batteries and took possession of 
the city at 3 p. m. The 8th Regiment was among the first that 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


25 


entered the city, driving the rebels through the streets, capturing 
many prisoners, eighteen pieces of artillery, and vast quantities of 
stores and ammunition. Lieut. Col. Jefferson was appointed Pro¬ 
vost Marshal by Gen. Sherman, and the regiment together with 
the brigade, was detailed to guard the city, and under the supervi¬ 
sion of the Provost Marshal was ordered to destroy confederate 
stores, cotton factories, railroads, etc. Estimated value of pro¬ 
perty destroyed 810,000,000. On 15th still in Jackson—head¬ 
quarters of the regiment in state house. On the 16th evacuated 
the city, passed through Clinton at 7 p. m., continued the march 
until 2 a. m. on the 17th and bivouacked a distance from Jackson 
of eighteen miles. At 5 a. m. same day, marched to Black River, 
a distance of fourteen miles, and bivouacked for the night, and on 
the 18th crossed the river on pontoo^ridges, and encamped in the 
woods near the river bank. On the 19th, marched eighteen miles 
to rear of Vicksburg, Miss., and formed in line of battle under 
the enemy s guns. 20th and 21st, maintained same position, and, 
on the 22d May, took part in the grand assault made on the rebel 
fortifications at Vicksburg, and succeeded in gaining the outer 
slope of the enemy’s works, but not without sustaining a severe 
loss. Number of killed, five; wounded, twenty. Among the 
former was Lieut. Chapman company “ F,” and the latter, Lieut. 
Colonel Jefferson, slightly, and Capt. Estee company “ H,” sev¬ 
erely. (Capt. E. since died.) At dark the regiment, with the 
brigade, by orders of Gen. Sherman, withdrew from the position 
gained during the day. In the engagement the regiment was 
highly complimented by the commanding General for the gallant 
conduct it displayed on the occasion. 23d and 24th remained in 
same position as on the 20th and 21st, (regiment in fine spirits.) 
At 9 p. m. on the 25th May, regiment, with large force, marched 
to within three miles of Haines’ Bluff, and bivouacked inside of the 
enemy’s old fortifications on the Yazoo River. On the 28th took 
up the line of march en route for Mechanicsburg. Next day skir¬ 
mished with the enemy and drove him through Mechanicsburg, 
where the regiment bivouacked for the night, forty miles distant 
from Vicksburg. The object of this expedition was to make some 


26 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


discoveries of the reported advance of the rebel Gen. Jo. Johnson, 
this being accomplished, the following morning, marched back to¬ 
wards Haines’ Bluff, entered the Yazoo Valley and destroyed vast 
quantities of cotton marked “ C. S. A,” burned an immense 
amount of corn, captured 1000 head of cattle and as many mules, 
skirmished with the enemy’s cavalry who harrassed our rear, and 
reached Haines’ Bluff at 3 p. m. on the 31st, a distance of thirty 
miles. On the 1st and 2d of June were encamped on Haines’ 
Bluff. On 3d embarked on transports and proceeded up the Ya¬ 
zoo Elver with the fleet, convoyed by five gunboats to Satarcia, 
arriving at 6 a. in. on the 4th, a distance of eighty miles. Disem¬ 
barked and immediately proceeded towards Mechanicsburg—the 
8th Wisconsin taking the advance. Met the enemy 1000 strong, 
composed of cavalry and ♦minted infantry, with four guns, when 
an engagement ensued, which continued about two hours, when 
the enemy fled, leaving his dead and wounded, and about forty 
prisoners in our hands. During this skirmish the 8th Wisconsin 
was the only regiment engaged, and both officers and men con¬ 
ducted themselves with great gallantry. Capt. Greene, of com¬ 
pany “ F.” deserves great praise for bravery displayed in leading 
the skirmishers. Our loss was two men severely wounded, one of 
whom has since died, and the other disabled for life. Regiment 
remained at Mechanicsburg until the morning of the 6th, when it 
marched for, and arrived at Haines’ Bluff on the evening of the 
7th, a distance of thirty miles, and on the 9th embarked on trans¬ 
ports and proceeded down the Yazoo River to Young’s Point, La., 
where the regiment disembarked, going into camp on bank of the 
Mississippi River. 

June 14th, the regiment, with brigade, marched en route for 
Richmond, La., a distance of eighteen miles. On 15th met the 
enemy, and after a severe engagement of two hours, completely 
routed him and took possession of the town, capturing some thirty 
prisoners, including the wounded which he left on the field. The 
following day returned to Young’s Point, where the regiment went 
into camp, remaining through the month of June, and until July 
12th, during which time it was engaged as sharpshooters in front 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 27 

of Vicksburg, great portion of the time being under a heavy fire 
from the enemy’s shore batteries. Young’s Point being a very 
unhealthy locality, a large proportion of the regiment were taken 
sick, but under the skillful treatment of Surgeon Murta, who 
labored day and night, the number of deaths was comparatively 
small. The regiment for the past forty-six days had been without 
tents, marching and bivouacking much of that time in stormy 
weather, without a change of clothing, and many of the men with¬ 
out shoes. For sixteen days, commencing on the 6th of May, the 
regiment drew but four days rations in that time. This being an 
average of one, cracker per day to a man, and yet, during all these 
hardships, not a word of complaint was uttered by any one in the 
command. 

On the 12th of July, the regimcort, with brigade, embarked on 
steamer Omaha , and proceeded to Vicksburg, a distance of seven 
miles below, where it disembarked and took cars for Big Black 
-River Bridge, fifteen miles east, arriving at 12 m. on the following 
day. On 16th and 17th marched twelve miles to Champion Plills. 
returning to camp at Black River on the 20th. On 22d marched 
six miles to Messenger’s Ferry, where we remained in camp until 
the 25th, when the brigade moved one mile north of the Ferry, 
and again went into camp, remaining until the 27th when it moved 
four miles to “Camp Sherman,” near Bear Creek, Miss., remain¬ 
ing in this position until September 26th, during which time the 
regiment was constantly employed performing guard and fatigue 
duty, and drilling. On the evening of the 26th the brigade with 
regiment, received orders to proceed forthwith to Big Black River 
Bridge, Miss., twelve miles distant—marched all night and arrived 
next morning, when the regiment went into camp on same ground 
it occupied some months previous. 

Notwithstanding the severe privations and hardships which the 
Sth Wisconsin has undergone during the past two years, it still 
can compare favorably in numbers , health and discipline , with any 
regiment whose organization dates as far back as this, or even, 
with the regiments raised under the President’s second call, who 
have done far less service. Having served under some of the 


28 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR. 


ablest generals now in the field, and receiving from them, on many 
occasions, congratulatory orders for services rendered, we still 
hope to merit in the future, a continuance of the good name the 
regiment has so nobly earned, and return to the State, we have the 
honor of representing, bearing with us, our favorite American 
Eagle, who has participated in every engagement, exciting the 
admiration of both friend and foe. 

-— 

ROSTER OF 8TH WIS. YOLS.—OCT. 1st, 1868. 


Field Officers. 

Colonel —George W. .Robbins. 

Lieutenant Colonel —Jolm W. Jefferson. 

Major —William B. Britton. 

Staff Officers. 

Adjutant —Ezra T. Sprague. 

Quartermaster —Francis L. Billings. 

Surgeon —Joseph E. Murta. 

First Assistant Surgeon —Henry M. Murdock. 
Second Assistant Surgeon —Reuben Willson. 
Chaplain —John Hobart. 

Non-Commissioned Staff. 
Sergeant Major —George W. Driggs. 
Quartermaster Sergeant —Hugh McAuley. 
Commissary Sergeant —Jay J. Hawley. 
Hospital Steward- —James A. Jackson. 

Drum Major —Calvin Sprague. 

Fife Major —Abraham Burt. 

Company “ A.” 

Captain —Josiah B. Redfield. 

First Lieutenant —Charles Christensen. 

Second Lieutenant —Jason S. Jones.—56 men. 

Company “B.” 

Captain —Albert E. Smith. 

First IAeutenant —John A. Smith. 

Second Lieutenant —David Conger.—61 men. 



29 


TWO \ EARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 

Company “C.” 

Captain —Victor Wolf. 

First Lieutenant— Thomas G. Butler. 

Second Lieutenant —John Woodworth.—59 men. 

Company “D.' ! 

Captain —William J. Dawes. 

First Lieutenant —Benjamin S. Williams. 

Second Lieutenant— Samuel C. McDowell.—52 men. 

Company “E.” 

Captain —William C. Young. 

First Lieutenant —Marvin H. Helms. 

Second Lieutenant —Jacob Leffler._53 men. 

Company “F.” 

Captain —James H. Greene. 

First Lieutenant —James T. McClure.—50 men. 
Second Lieutenant —Vacancy. 

Company “G.” 

Captain —Charles P. King. 

First Lieutenant —William II. Sargent. 

Second Lieutenant— Milton H. Doty.—57 men. 

Company “H.” 

Captain —Vacancy. 

First Lieutenant —La Fayette Munsell. 

Second Lieutenant— Peter B. Willoughby.—55 men. 

Company “I.” 

Captain —Duncan A. Kennedy. 

First IJeutenant—Samuel J. Sargent.—52 men. 
Second. Lieutenant —Vacancy. 

Company “K.” 

Captain— James 0. Bartlett. 

First Lieutenant —Theodore A. Fellows. 

Second Lieutenant —Charles Palmetier.—62 men. 

Sutler —Fred. Cooley, Jefferson county, Wis. 
Aggregate—599. 


TRANSCRIPT OF MORNING REPORT OF 8th WISCONSIN VOLUNTEERS, OCT. 1st, 1863. 


30 OPENING OF TUB MISSISSIPPI; OR 


Remarks. 

; Discipline good. 

Arms in good order. 

| Loss, 391. 

Ppesent 

AND 

Absent. 

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05 

05 

o 

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CO 

to 

r—1 

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o 

rH 

In 

arrest. 

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rH 

•s.ieotgo P^uotssimuioQ 



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CO 

CO 

•gjaoggo pouoissiuiuioa 



Without 

leave. 

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05 

•SJ9O10O paUOTSSIUIUIOO 



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lough. 

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Cl 

•s.iaogjo pouorssiuuuoQ 

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On de¬ 
tached 
service. 

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I- 

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! 

H 

55 

w 

tn 

w 

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o 

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•gjaoipo pauoissiuimoo ptpox 

O 

Cl 

In arrest 

•U9K r 9 i s u n a 

CO 

•s.t9ogjo pauoTSSuuraoa 



Extra 

duty. 

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to 

to 

•s.iaopjQ pguoTSsimmoQ 

40 

Sick. 

•U9J\[ p9?sxina 

05 

Cl 

•s.i9otgo pauoissiramoo 

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For duty. 

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•S.199HJO P9U01SS1U1UI0Q 

05 

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Station. 

V- 

RIack River Bridge 
Miss., Oct. 1st, 
1863. 

Total .... . 







































































TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


31 


Promotions, Resignations and Deaths of Commissioned Officers in 
Eighth Reg't IFis. Pots., Oct. 12 th, 1861, to Oct. ls(, 1863. 
Field and Staff. 

a\&' t' w b T b ff 3 ’ pl0moted fro “ u - Col. Dec. 20, '62, vice Murphy. 

Lt. c °l J W. Jefferson, promoted from Major “ « Robbins 

Major W B Britton, promoted from Capt. Co. G. “ « Jefferson. 

First Ass t Surgeon, Wm. Bobbins, resigned January 4th, 1862. 

Thorahffl E ’ Mm hl ’ promoted from Ass,t Surgeon Nov. 14, ’62, vice 

Ass’t Surgeon L. G. Armstrong, appointed Oct. —, ’62, resigned Nov. 29, 

! UrSCOn 5* M S r i : dock > appointed Dec. 2, ’62, vice Murta. 

ChLlfi^wT m 1 ?. e ? WlllSOn ’ app ? inted May 8, ’63, vice Armstrong. 
Chaplain Wm. McKinley, resigned Oct. 17, ,62. 6 

Chaplain John Hobart, appointed Dec. 16, ’62,"vice McKinley. 

Company “A." 

2d Lt. R. J. Baker, resigned June 3, ’62. 

?“ m T 8 ’ S M g R t>' L ; Hun * crfor ‘!' P romot « d to 2d Lt. June 8, '62, vice Baker. 
1st Lt. M. B. Patclun, resigned Aug. 31, ’62. 

w‘; Mn^. H r| gei ' f % d ’- P , r0m0,ed t0 lst L ‘- Au 8- si > ’ 62 Patchin. 

^ Hungerford Ch Chnsteil8en ’ P romot e d to 2d Lt. Aug. 31, ’62, vice 

1S oo ^o’ L ‘ Hlln g erford > promoted to Captain and “C. S.” U. S. V. Nov. 

uZ, 

C „ hri T st<!nsen - Promoted to 1st Lt. Nov. 20, '62, vice Hungerford. 
lst Serg t J. S, Jones, promoted to 2d Lt. Nov. 20, ’62, vice Christensen. 

Company “B. v 

2d Lt. C. D. Stevens, died at Pilot Knob, Mo., Nov. 6, ’61. 

p* ® er T ? j n E r H ‘ WebSte ^’ P ra “ 0ted o t0 ^ d Lt. Nov. 6, ’62, vice Stevens. 
Capt. D. B. Conger, resigned June 23, ’62. 

1S '«o t ' Co- “ K: ’ P rom °ted to Captain Co. “B.” June 25 

b2, vice Conger. 

2d Lt. E. H. Webster, resigned June 25, '62. 

Serg’t David Conger, promoted to 2d Lt. June 25, ’62, vice Webster. 

Company “C.” 

Capt. Jno. E. Perkins, killed at Farmington, Miss. Mav 9 ’62 
1st Lt. Victor Wolf, promoted to Capt. May 11, '62, vice Perkins. 

2H T S ,1i T p 08 ' Bu - ler ’ K? m0 l e , d 12 lst Lt - n > '« 2 > rice Wolf. 

2d Lt. Seth Pierce, resigned May 11, 62. 

Serg’t Major Jno. Woodworth, promoted to 2dLt. May 11, ’62, vice Pierce 
Serg t B. F. Cowen, appointed 2d Lt, in 30th Wis. Vol. Oct. —, ’62, 

Company “D.’’ 

2d Lt, H. T. Williamson, resigned Jan’y 9, ’62. 

1st Serg’t Sam’l C. McDowell, promoted to 2d Lt, Jan’y 9, ‘62 vice Wil¬ 
liamson. 

Corp’l Rob’t T. Pugh, appointed 2d Lt. in 22d Wis. Vol. Oct. 6, ’62. 
Company “E.” 

lst Lt. Jas. Gilbert, resigned June 23, ’62. 

2d Lt. M. H. Helms, promoted to lst Lt. June 23, ’62, vice Gilbert 
berg’t Jacob Leffler, promoted to 2d Lt. June 23, ’62, vice Helms. * 


32 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


Company “F.” 

2d Lt. Jas. Berry, resigned June 19, ’62. 

1st Lt. Zenas Beach, resigned June 23, ’62. 

1st Serg’t J. T. McClure, promoted to 1st Lt. June 24, ’62, vice Beach. 
Serg’t W. D. Chapman, promoted to 2d Lt. June 24, ’62, vice Berry. 

2d Lt. W. D. Chapman, killed at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, ’63. 

Serg’t B. Hewett, appointed 1st Lt. in 31st Wis. Vols. Dec. 19, ’62. 

Company u G.” 

2d Lt. R. D. Beamish, killed at Farmington, Miss., May 9, ’62. 

1st Serg’t W. H. Sargent, promoted to 2d Lt. May 9, ’62, vice Beamish. 
Capt. W. B. Britton, promoted te Major Dec. 20, ’62, vice Jefferson. 

1st Lt. C, P. King, promoted to Capt. Dec. 20, '62, vice Britton. 

2d Lt. W. H. Sargent, promoted to 1st Lt. Dec. 20, ’62, vice King. 

1st Serg’t M. H. Doty, promoted to 2d Lt. Dec. 20, ’62, vice Sargent. 

Company li H.” 

Capt. Stephen Estee, died Sept. 25, ’63, from wounds received at Vicks¬ 
burg, Miss., May 22, ’63. 

Serg’t J. P. Corbin, appointed 2d Lt. in 24th Wis. Vols. Sept. 17, ’62. 

Company “ I.” 

2d Lt. H. M. Lathrop, resigned June 29, ’62. 

1st Serg’t D. A. Kennedy, promoted to 2d Lt. July 12, ’62, vice Lathrop. 
Capt M. M. Baker, resigned Aug. 31, ’62. 

1st Lt. A. D. Hickok, promoted to Capt. Oct. 10, ’62, vice Baker. 

2d Lt. D. A. Kennedy, promoted to 1st Lt. Oct. 10, ’62, vice Hickok. 

1st Serg’t S. J. Sargent, promoted to 2d Lt. Oct. 10, ’62, vice Kennedy. 
Capt. A. D. Hickok, resigned July 15, ’63. 

1st Lt. D. A. Kennedy, promoted to Capt. Aug. 13, ’63, vice Hickok. 

2d Lt. S. J. Sargent, promoted to 1st Lt. Aug. 13, ’63, vice Kennedy. 

Company “K.” 

1st Lt. A. E. Smith, appointed Capt. Co. “B.” June 25, ’62. 

2d Lt. Jas. 0. Bartlett, promoted to 1st, Lt. June 25, ’62, vice Smith 
transferred. 

1st Serg’t T. A. Fellows, promoted to 2d Lt. June 25, ’62, vice Bartlett. 
Capt. W. P. Lyon, appointed Col. 13tli Wis. Vols. Sept. 7, ’62. 

1st Lt. J. 0. Bartlett, promoted to Captain Sept. 7, ’62, vice Lyon. 

2d Lt. T. A. Fellows, promoted to 1st Lt Sept. 7, ’62, vice Bartlett. 

Serg’t Chas. Palmetier, promoted to 2d Lt. Sept.. 7, ’62, vice Fellows. 
Priv’t L. J. Billings, appointed 2d Lt. in 28th Wis. Vols. Sept. —, ’62. 

fir. Master Serg’t Chas. L. Noggle, appointed 1st Lt. and Battalion Adj’t 
in 3d Wis. Cavalry Jan’y, ’62. 

Musician N. D. Randall, appointed 1st Lt. and Adj’t in Mo. State Militia 
Feb’y —, ’62. 


DEATHS IN 8TH REGIMENT WISCONSIN VOLUNTEERS, AMONG ENLISTED MEN, FROM 

OCTOBER 12th, 1861, TO OCTOBER 1st, 18G3. 


I 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN TUE SOUTHWEST. 


33 


3 






































































































































34 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


Deaths in 8th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers —continued. 


Name. 


James McGinnis,. 

E. R. Curtis,. 

C. Meith,. 

N. Muscom,. 

J. J. Miles,. 

Charles M. Sargent,.. 

Andrew Ritger,. 

Frank N. Parker,. 

David Farley,... 

Max Worth,. 

Wm. Delapp,. 

Hovel Swenson,. 

Elisha Fletcher,. 

James Cry deman,.... 

James B. Greene,. 

Charles Wines,. 

Osgood, D. Learned,. 

Ennis F. Reed,. 

John Bartz,. 

Ernst Adams,. 

Augustus A. Hill,. 

George H. Whirry,... 

Joshua Hanshaw,. 

Silas Halsey,. 

John C. Wilson,. 

John Maxwell,. 

Calvin W. Burt,. 

Seth C. Haskell. 

Henry J. Robinson,. 

Seth Hastings,. 

Peter Watson,. 

Eli Day,. 

Mordacia Sayles,. 

C. Blackledge,. 

John Pinnic,. 

William Story,. 

William Walford,. 

John Charke,. 

Stephen Dawson,. 

Charles S. Irwing.... 

George Drum,. 

Wm. C. Groves,. 

James Hamilton,. 

Benj. Groves,. 

Andrew Griffin,. 

Francis Shumway,.... 

John P. Joseph,. 

Charles Ralrichard,... 

S. M. Cummings,. 

John W. Shell,. 

John Peters,. 

Z. McQueen,. 

Samuel McCollough,. 
William Sallandar,... 

JohnZ. Smith,. 

Eli M. Groves,. 

Alex. Henderson,. 

Albert Mallory,. 

John Carney,. 

James B. Smith,. 

Aaron Holloway,. 

James K. Bryan,. 

A. M. Johnson,. 

.T. A, White. 

Mancey Williamson,. 

Alexander Paul,. 

H. II. Whittier,. 

Fred Fisher,.... 




Died 




Co. 

Rank. 

and 

killed. 

Date. 

Place. 

Cause. 

C. 

Private. 

Died. 

Sept. 19, ’62 

Jackson, Tenn,... 


66 

66 

Killed. 

Oct. 3, ’62 

Corinth, Miss,. 

Killed in action. 

66 

66 

66 

tt tt 

ft 66 

6 6 6 6 

66 

66 

Died. 

Oct. 4, ’62 

66 66 

D’d of w’ds ac’n 

ft 

if 

i ( 

tt .t 

66 ft 

ft if 

66 

66 

it 

Mc’h 4, ’63 

Germant’n, Tenn. 


%6 

66 

66 

June 29,' 63 

Young’s Pt., La,. 


66 

66 

66 

July 5, ’63 

(f ft 


66 

t f 

66 

July 11, ’63 

“ u 


66 

66 

66 

Aug. 7, ’63 

Bear Creek, Miss,. 


if 

66 

66 

Aug. 30, ’63 

ft ft 


66 

6 6 

it 

Sept. 3, ’63 

ft if 


D. 

66 


Dec. 19, ’61 

Ironton, Mo. 

Typhoid fever. 

66 

6 6 


Feb. 19, ’62 

Cairo, Ill..,. 

ft ft 

66 

66 

66 

M’ch 19. ’62 

New Madrid, Mo. 

6 6 6 6 

66 

ft 

V t 

Apr. 14, ’62 

ft ft 

66 66 

66 

6 6 

6 6 

May 28, ’62 

Farmington, Miss. 

Ofwd’sre. in ac. 

66 

Serg’t. 


Apr. 22, ’62 

Evansville, Ind.,.. 

Typhoid fever. 

66 

Private. 

66 

Apr. 24, ’62 

tt if 

ft it 

66 

66 

6 6 

May 30, ’62 

Famington, Miss. 

f C 66 

66 

66 

6 6 

May 31, ’62 

ft ft 

66 ft 

66 

66 

6 6 

May 1, ’62 

St. Louis, Mo. 

Fevex'. 

66 

66 

6 . 

May 4, ’62 

“ “ . 

ft 

66 

66 

66 

July 10,62 

Farmington, Miss 

if 

66 

6 6 

Killed. 

Oct. 3, ’62 

Corinth, Miss.,. 

Killed in action. 

66 

66 

Died. 

Sept. 9, ’63 

Memphis, Tenn.,.. 

66 

tt 

6 6 

April 6, ’63 
Slay 23, ’63 

Cairo, Ill. 


66 

66 

it 

Vicksburg, Miss., 

W’ds re. in ac’n. 

66 

66 

( 6 

Aug. 9, ’63 

Bear Creek, Miss. 


E. 

66 

it 

M’ch 9, ’62 

Cairo, Ill.,. 

Typhoid fever. 
From Str. McL. 

66 

66 

Drow’d 

Apr. 15, ’62 

Tiptonville, Tenn. 

66 

it 

Died. 

July 5, ’62 

Nr. Farm’ton,Miss 

66 

66 

tt 

Aug. 24. ’62 

St. Louis. Mo. 


ft 

66 

Killed. 

Oct. 3: ’62 

Corinth, Miss. 

Killed in act’n. 

66 

Serg’t. 

it 

tt 66 

if ft 

if 66 

66 

Private. 

Died. 

Nov. 12, ’62 

Keokuk, Iowa. 

Of wd’s rec’d. 

F. 

66 

6 6 

Nov. 25. ’61 

Ironton, Mo. 

Typhoid fever. 

tt f t 

66 

66 

it 

tt tt 

Madison, Wis. 

66 

66 

tt 

Jan. 7, ’62 

Sulphur Springs... 

Consumption. 




Jan. 18, 62 

ft ft 

Typhoid fever. 

66 


ti 

Apr. 10, ’62 

Pt. Pleasant, Mo.. 

66 ft 

66 

66 

tt 

Apr. 18, ’62 

New Madrid, Mo. 


66 

6 6 

ti 

Apr. 19, ’62 

if if 


66 

66 

tt 

June 12, ’62 

Famington, Tenn. 

Fever. 

66 

66 

66 

“ 11, ’62 

ft it 

ft 

66 

it 

66 

ft ft 

ft tt 

ft 

66 

it 

66 

July 10, ’62 

ft 66 


66 

»f 

it 

July 8,’62 
Oct. 2, ’62 

On steamer. 


66 

ti 

it 

Jackson, Tenn.... 


66 

Corporal. 

Killed. 

Oct. 3, ’62 

Corinth, Miss. 

Killed in action. 

66 

Private. 

tt 

66 t i 

ti <( 

ft if 

66 

66 

Died. 


St. TiOiiit? Jfn 


66 

Sergeant. 

f t 

July 19, ’63 

Young’s Pt., La... 

Typhoid fever. 

66 

Private. 

ti 

July 22, ’63 

Vicksburg, Miss... 

~ "tt if 

66 

Corporal. 

i t 

July 24, ’63 

Bl’k River Bridge 

• i f f 

66 

Private. 

ti 

Aug. 11, ’63 

Bear Creek. Miss. 


66 

66 

66 

July 15, ’63 

St. Louis. Mo. 


66 

tt 

66 

Aug. 10, ’63 

Batavia, Wis. 


G. 

66 

tt 

Oct. 30, ’61 

Pilot Knob,. 

Killed by ac’d’t 
Chronic diar. 

66 

66 

it 

Jan. 16, ’62 

Sulphur, Spring... 




Jan. 24, ’62 

Cairo, Ill. 

Cong’n of brain. 
Quick consump. 

66 

66 

it 

Jan. 29,’62 

tt ' 66 

66 

66 

66 

May 2, ’62 

Farmington. Miss. 

66 

Corporal. 

Killed. 

May 9, ’62 

ft ft 

Killed in act’n. 

66 

Sergeant. 

Died. 

Aug.—, — 

Iuka, Miss. 

66 

Corporal. 

ti 

M’ch 10, ’63 

Germant’n, Tenn. 

Diarhoea. 

“ 

Sergeant. 

11 

July 15, ’63 

Vicksburg/Miss... 

Typhoid fever. 

66 

Private. 

tt 

lug. 7, ’63 

Bear Creek, Miss. 

"ft 'it 








































































































35 


T"\\0 \ EARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN TIIE SOUTHWEST. 


Deaths in 8th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers —continued. 


Name. 

Co. 

Rank. 

Died 

or 

killed. 

Date. 

Place. 

Cause. 

Samuel Shampson,.. 
French Illingworth,. 
David R. Ellsworth,. 
Albert Devine . 

G. 

. II. 

• 4 

4 4 

Private. 

Sergeant 

Private. 

4 4 

Died. 

Killed 

Died. 

4 4 

Aug. 8, 
Oct. 21, ’61 
Nov. 22, ’61 
Dec. 80, ’61 
Jan. 18, ’65 
Jan. 24, ’65 
July 80, ’65 
Aug. 4, ’65 
Oct. 3,’62 
Oct. 5, ‘02 
Oct. 20, .’62 
Oct. G, ’62 
Jan. 22, ’63 
Mar. 6, ’63 
July 9, ’63 
Feb. 13, ’62 

1 Mound City, Ill.. 
Frederickt’n, Mo 

Ironton, Mo. 

Sulphur Spr., Mo 
Cairo, Ill. 

. Chronic diar. 

. Shot accidental. 
Typhoid fever. 

C. C. Corbin. 

( l 

Corporal 

Private. 

4 4 

4 4 

“ << 


c c 


Cong'n of Brain 

J. J. Chamberlin,.... 

c c 

i t 

4 4 

Sulphur Spr., Mo 
Mississippi,..,. 


W. P. Illingworth,... 
•T. P. Illingworth,.... 
P. II. Gould,. 

c t 

i t 

t i 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Killed. 

Died. 

«i 

Keokuk, Iowa.... 
Corinth, Miss. 

“ <i 

Killed in act'n. 

John Waldo, . 

< c 

4 4 

4 4 


From wounds. 

C. A. Judd. . 

( c 

4 4 

4 4 

La Grange, Tenn. 
Germant’n, Tenn. 

Millikens, La . 

Cairo, III . 


Jno. W. Thornton ... 
W. E. Barns . 

• 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 


Geo. L. Garmon, . 

Andrew J. Nash, . 

Nelson Landers, . 

Paul Erickson, . 

Zebulon Johnson, . 

Johnathan Nash . 

John Allen, . 

I. 

Sergeant. 

Private. 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Conges'n lungs. 

Killed in action. 
Wounds rec’d. 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Killed. 

Died. 

4 4 

4 4 

Mar. 30, ’62 
Apr. 12, ’62 
May 28, ’62 
June 6, ’62 
June 9, ’62 
July 2, ’62 
June 30, ’62 

4 4 4 4 

Cincinnati, O. 

New Madrid, Mo. 

Corinth, Miss. 

Farmington, Miss. 
<< << 

John Olsen,. 

4 • 

4 4 

4 4 



Simeon Owen,. 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

St. Louis, Mo. 

Iuka, Miss,. 

4 4 44 


Benj. P. Beardsley,. 

Martin Bassett,. 

Barney Trainor. 

John W. Thorp,. 

Lra Holbrook. 

Ives Olson,. 

4 4 

4 4 

Corporal. 

Private. 

4 4 

4 4 

Sept. 1, ’62 
Sept. 13, ’62 


4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Killed. 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Oct. 3 ’62 

‘4 44 

‘t 4 4 

«4 44 

Corinth, Miss. 

4 4 4 4 

4 4 4 < 

Killed in action. 

“ 44 

‘4 44 

Ole Lasson,. 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

“ << 



E. J. Vernon. 

4 4 

( 4 

Died 

Jan. 11, ’63 
June 17, ’08 
June 20, ’t3 
July 25, ’63 
July 30, ’63 
Sept. 2, ’63 
Sept. 11, ’63 
Sept. 16. ’63 
July 16, ’63 
Dec. 23, ’61 
Apr. 12, ’62 
Apr. 22, ’62 
Apr. 25, ’62 
May 12, ’62 
May 17, '62 
May 27, ’62 
May 28, ’62 
lug. 14, ’62 
)ct. 17, ’62 

Bolivar, Tenn. 

Young's Pt., La... 

Died of wounds. 
Typhoid fever. 

Alvin K. Allen,. 

Isaac Conboy,. 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

Robbins Bassett,. 

James Randall,. 

Wm. II. Cinnamon,... 

Anthony Downer,. 

Samuel Osbury,. 

Hiram A. McNeil,.... 
Charles B. Manning,. 
Herbert G. Paddock, 
John Lowe,. 

4 l 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

“ 

K. 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 C 

Corporal. 

Private. 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

‘ < 

4 4 

Bear Creek, Miss. 
Memphis, Tenn... 
Bear Creek, Miss. 
Vicksburg, Miss... 
Sulphur Springs... 
New Madrid. Mo. 

Congestive chl’s 
Chronic diar. 
Remittent fever 
Chronic diar. 
Hemorrhage b’ls 

Typhoid fever. 

44 K 

Orin White,.. 

Josiah Mott. 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

• 4 

4 4 

4 4 

(f «( 

Hamburg, Tenn... 

St. Louis, Mo. 

N'r. Farm’n, Miss. 

Corinth, Miss. 

Keokuk, Iowa.... 
florinth, , 

A. D. Maine,. 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 


E. Van Ness. 

4 4 

4 4 

*« ; 


Ralph M. Coon,. 

Jacob J. Barrows,. 

A. E. Evans,. 

4 4 

“ ( 
4 4 

“ I 

Corporal. 
Private. 

tilled. ? 
Died, i 
“ ( 

Killed inaction. 

Of wounds rec’d 

George Wyman,. 

Henry Collins,.. 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

4 4 

“ 1 
“ J 

'eb. 14,'’63 
uly 13, ’63 
Lpr. 13, ’63 
lay 19, ’63 

Gennant’n, Tenn 
Young's Pt., La.... 
Memphis, Tenn.... 
Grand Gulf, Miss 

Dennis Murphy,. 

Archibald Thompson, 

4 4 

“ C 

4 4 

om. Ser. 

“ J 

Typhoid fever. 

















































































































TABULAR STATEMENT, Exhibiting the Number of Battles and Skirmishes in which the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteers have been 
engaged, together with its losses, promotions, resignations, recruits, number of miles traveled, etc., Oct. 12, ’61, to Oct. 1, ’63. 


36 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


Remarks. 

No loss. 

No loss. 

No loss. 

No loss. 

; S o5 

\ CO 

CD C 
^ c 

; <v 
- o 

?•= 

1-13 

£ s <v 

3s*5 

•papABjq 
saiun -oxfiox 


8025 

•paqo.rem 


1091 

S3 [KU 'OX 



•pToq qs ifq pap 


8851 

-AT?.T[ S3[TIIT ’OX 


PB0.T[IT!.I Xq p9[3 


ATQT 

-AUH S3[IUI ’ox 



•suoip;u3is3[f 


et 

•S.I30LP0 Pi ra0 0 °I pOIOTHO.ld UOJY [)3[SI[U3—1U01 UTJj3)J HJ 

21 

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05 

•sinaunSa.T aaq^o ui suotssuutuoq p3AT303)[ 

8 

•p9).I9S9a 


55 

•p9nA\0.TQ 


Z 

•paS.reqosto; 


281 

•sqn.tosq 


55 

•p.03.1 spuno.vv 

•U9J4 p9'}SI[Ug[ 

51 

mo.ij sqp3(j 

•s.T9oqjo pauoissumnop) 

I 

•as^a 

•ii9IV[ pa^squa 

911 

-sip j?q sipuaa 

•s.iaotgo pauoissiniraoo 

I 


•Suissij^ 


• S.TOUOSI.T ( | 


•papuno^ 

•painx 


Q 


: oo co 


05 : i' 


.-cCS'MCSCS'NCOCOeO 
oeooooooo 

.S . oT oo" cT tjT ol id 

Cl <! INn JjrlNH 

^ oE. ^ ^ 
°22 — o5 ° 2; 22 3 


15 


in 

65 


o 

a 

p 

o 


o g 

U-< O 


^ Oj 


m - 
m ce 


•on 


a 

W 


St3 a j|S" 

IS 8.3 jfS ^ tj-e 

Sf r 0 ~iJ-§i 

P ci ca os-B 73 75 ■§ 
0) 4) O O o 


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B 3 

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.s ^ 

S.o 


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cf.S.y § 

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CO O CO 


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CO CO CO 
o CO CO 


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os : 

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\ 










































































































































TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


37 


PETS OF THE REGIMENT—“ OLD ABE,” 

Is the name given to the “ Live Eagle ” carried by the Eighth Regiment Wis¬ 
consin Veteran Volunteers. He was originally taken from his nest in the 
northern part of Chippewa county, Wisconsin, by a Chippewa Indian, when 
about two. weeks old, and brought to Eau Claire as an object of interest 
and curiosity, where he was purchased, for a small sum, by the “Eau Claire 
Badgers, now Company C. of this regiment, on the eve of departure 
lor their regiment at Madison, where he was introduced, and immediately 
adopted as a pet, and assigned a conspicuous place beside the colors. A 
perch was built lor him of shield shape, with the stars and stripes painted 
thereon, to which he is attached by a small rope, giving him liberty of his limbs 
and wings for a distance of several yards. He has grown from a little, un¬ 
hedged gosling, to a full feathered, magnificent bird, the largest of his spe¬ 
cies, causing his “bearer” much trouble, on many occasions, to return him 
to duty from the “detached service” on which he was detailed by his own 
order; setting himself at liberty by using his claws and beak to sunder the 
tie which bound him to so narrow and contracted a sphere. 

Once, when the regiment was in line, ready to march at the signal, they 
were detained a whole hour by his escape, making several wide circuits over 
the heads of the gaping crowd, and alighting in a distant tree-top, from 
which he was recaptured by an ambitious youth, regardless of life or limb. 
The regiment has become so attached to him, by his long habitation with us, 
that, rather than lose him, or see him fall into the hands of the enemy, every 
man would spend his last cartridge in his defence. Gen. Price has been 
said to declare that he would lather “capture that bird than a whole brig¬ 
ade. The eagle’s exploits during the battles of Corinth, the 3d and 4th of 
Ocober, 1862, have no doubt been greatly exaggerated, and the author aims 
at nothing more than a simple statement of facts. The string that held him 
to his perch was undoubtedly cut by a Minnie ball from the enemy; he did 
soar aloft over the heads of the belligerants, and others say he returned with 
the cap of some unfortunate secesh in his beak. Be that as it may, He is 
undoubtedly Union to the core, manifesting his desire to end the troubles of 
our now severed country by all means within his power, responding to the 
cheers of our brave boys on the. battle field or in camp by spreading his 
wings, patiently enduring the tedious march, or whiling away the dull hours 
of camp life He is very rapacious, eyeing greedily birds in their flight, or 
domestic fowls in pursuit of rations, beyond his reach. If it were not for 
his attachment to this mundane sphere, he would excell the best of us in 
“jayhawking.” He is also very discreet, judicious, and somewhat dainty in 
the selection of his food, preferring all small animals alive, such as squir¬ 
rels, chickens, birds, rabbits, etc., thus discarding all modern inventions of 
cookery. His life and history thus far has been one of excitement, and 
passed amidst most stirring scenes. He has filled the place assigned him in 
the regiment with credit and honor, as a living personification of our na¬ 
tional emblem, gaining for us the appellation of the “Eagle Regiment,” and 
exciting universal admiration on our marches, from the inhabitants, who are 
loth to admire anything from “Yankee Land.” Various are the names 
applied to him by strangers, “Owl!” and “Yankee Buzzard!” being very 
common. 

On our advent into Oxford, Mississippi, last year, a young lady of de¬ 
cidedly Southern origin rushed from a stately mansion by the wayside, with 
arms extended and hair streaming, exclaiming in scornful and sarcastic 
tones: “Oh! see that Yankee Buzzard /” which was responded to from the 
ranks in such unmistakable language that she made for the house on double 
quick. 

With all due respect to the bird, it is fair to state, that he has seen nearly 




38 


OPENING- OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


as much of this world of ours as he would if left in his own native condi¬ 
tion, having spread his wings over seven of the now rebel States, though in 
closer proximity to terra firma than would seem natural. May his life be 
preserved through the trying scenes yet to come, and his wings be spread 
over all the rebellious States, and at the close of this unnatural war, be re¬ 
turned to his native home, there to live in state, surrounded by everything 
to make his bird-life happy. 

Another particular pet of the regiment is our dog “Frank”—a pretty 
white and brown pointer and setter, which came to us at Camp Randall, 
Madison, Wis., two years ago, and has followed the fortunes of the regiment 
ever since, pursuing his peaceful avocations of hunting birds and rabbits, 
and he has had a wide field to labor in; he has accompanied us on all our 
marches, railroad and steamboat travels, attaching himself to no individual 
in particular, but to a company for a time. He seems to prefer the old 
school-teaching system of “ boarding around,” and has so endeared himself 
to each member of the regiment, that to abuse him, is to abuse the soldier 
whom he accompanies. However large an army we may be placed in, he 
readily distinguishes any member of this regiment—not by name, but by 
scent, and cannot be induced or persuaded to follow any other. He posses¬ 
ses a peaceful and quiet disposition, and will take the grossest insult from a 
larger animal without retaliation, unless there are a sufficient number of 
the boys present to back him, when he will show fight, and succeed in van¬ 
quishing his antagonist. On several occasions he has followed us uncon¬ 
sciously to the battle-field, where, the leaden missiles, possessing no charms 
for him, he suddenly makes his exit—narrative drooping—living in retire¬ 
ment and seclusion for several weeks afterwards. 

It is natural for soldiers, leading the roving life of gipsies, isolated a large 
portion of their time from all society but themselves, to form strong and 
lasting attachments, as in our case, where the twin-relics of the regiment, 
the “Eagle and the Dog,” whose histories have become so intimately con¬ 
nected with it, and each individual member of it, as never to be forgotten. 

Long may they live to reap the benefit of honors so nobly won. 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING- IN TflE SOUTHWEST 


39 


[From the Columbus Ohio Gazette. ] 

THE EAGLE OF THE REGIMENT. 

BY C. W. FAIRRINQTON. 

[Note. From a friend who recently saw the eagle in Vicksburg we have 
obtained the following facts : 

When the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment went into the field, they took with 
them a pet eagle, which they taught to sit upon the shield, beneath the stars 
and stripes of their regimental flag, whenever they were in motion. The 
Eighth has been signally victorious in a great many hard fought battles, and 
the eagle has never deserted the flag during an engagement, notwithstand¬ 
ing three flag bearers have been shot beneath him. Such is the celebrity of 
that eagle now, that it is said Wisconsin promises $3,000 to the man that, 
returns him to the State after the close of the war. 

The subject is so interesting, that we cannot forego the pleasure of dress¬ 
ing it up in a little fiction.] 

In the broad door-way of the bright north-west, 

Reposing like a stately swan at rest 
Upon the sunny margin of a stream, 

The silvery turrets of a city gleam. 

The gorgeous trappings that the summer brings— 

The sweet wild music of the troup that sings 
Throughout the flower months—the thousand things, 

That Beauty stole from generous Nature’s hand, 

And scattered broadcast o’er the smiling land 
For leagues around—all these might well command 
For Madison, a high and blazing name, 

On the proud shrine that Beauty rears to Fame. 

But more than this. ’Tis sweet to think, at night, 

That fluttering angel-wings, just out of sight, 

Ripple around an infant’s crib, and keep 
A wakeful watch o’er innocence at sleep. 

Just so this city sleeps: and round its heart, 

Two lovely lakelets, scarce a mile apart, 

Fold their fair arms, and with their radiant eyes, 

Wink kisses at it, stolen from the skies. 

In this sweet garden grew a darling flower, 

Full of all graces, and that magic power 
That takes one captive at a single glance. 

Azile was charming, and a kind of trance 
Stole over those that dare confront her eyes— 

And thus, she fettered them without surprise— 

Then laughed them back into this world again, 

Turned back the lock, took otf her golden chain, 

And set them free, and bade them go—in vain. 

One happy morn, when June was singing in 
The joyous-hearted birds, with merriest din, 

Azile, the pet, and prettiest of those 

That grew around her, as the wild rose grows 

Caressingly around the red bird’s home, 

Forth wandered to the lake; and all the bloom 
Of her fair train in gleesome mimicry, 

Manned their frail boat to take the eagle tree. 

When roving fancy takes us by the hand, 

And wings us o’er Italia’s fairy land, 



40 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


The world seems glory crowned, until we light 
On thy smooth wave, dear Como ! then, that sight, 

So far eclipses all that went before, 

That there alone we’d gaze forever more, 

And then again, when Scotia’s storied glens, 

And Highland peaks, and feathery peopled fens 
Dawn on our vision, we can plainest see 
Loch-Katrine, kissing still that sacred lee, 

Where Ellen lived, and chieftains came to woo. 

But thou, proud queen Mendota !* with thy blue 
And sparkling wealth of waters, clear and pure, 

Mayest laugh the world to scorn, and still rest sure, 
That, spite the witchery that the earth puts on, 

Thou’lt shine forever beauty’s paragon. 

On this bright mirror, then, that happy morn, 

As was their wont, the ladies wandered out 
To take a sail; and by the breeze were borne— 

And Azile’s dextrous rudder—to the spot 
Where the bold shore threw up a daring bluf\ 

The simple fact, that here an eagle’s nest 
Secure from access built, was quite enough 
To tempt Azile to scale the dizzy crest. 

Strange combination ! in an angel form, 

Where mind and modesty held daily court. 

To see the daring spirit, that could storm 
A frowning cliff, just merely for the sport. 

By the fair Captain’s order, then the boat, 

Was moored close up against the flinty coat 
Of adamantine rocks, that grimly stood, 

As faithful sentries to that eagle brood. 

Then walking to the prow, and pointing up 
Her tiny taper finger, at the top 
Of that bleak pile, where, on an old dry oak 
She heard the mother eagle faintly croak— 

Mariners ! said she, the eagle builds his home 
Beyond the reach of boys, near that bright dome 
Where angels hover, and can sooner come, 

To teach his nurslings the bright destiny 
That eagles have, in every land that’s free. 

To that proud fortress I am bound to climb ; 

And, when ye see the circling fire-light shine, 

Know that Azile has gained the mountain top. 

And there, while mounts the blaze, she waits with hope, 
To see the tree come crashing to the ground, 

And scatter crying eaglets far around. 

This said, she threw her bonnet to the wind, 

And left that shuddering, tearful group, to find 
Among the dreamy clouds, a fitter mate 
For her proud spirit. Oh! ungenerous fate ! 

Why dost thou smother in a woman's life 
That fire and genius, which, without a strife, 

Would crown a man with glory, and would give 
A Godward impetus to those that live 
In the same era. Soon Azile was lost 
Among the frightful crags, that, like a host 
Of the old guard, around Napoleon— 

Stood firm with stony hearts to shield the one 


41 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING- IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


That slept secure within their rigid watch. 

Long time she clomb, until with frenzied clutch, 

She hung upon an overarching wall, 

That seemed to close its eyes, for fear the fall 
Of that sweet girl would rend its flinty breast, 

And leave accessible that eagle’s nest. 

Meantime, one baby eaglet, that with fright 
Had told his mother that a ship in sight, 

Bored down upon them, full equipped for war, 

And manned by fairies — as the evening star 
Is thronged and jammed with cupids, that in bright 

And blazing armor, twinkle there at night_ 

Now, curious to know what demon sprite, 

Clung neath him on that mountain’s hideous led^e, 
He ventured out upon the very edge 
Of his frail nest, and toppled over, then 
Struck out his awkward wings, but all in vain; 

He fluttered, rolled, and struggled, till at last, ’ 

A table rock that Azile just had passed, 

Stopped his rude fall—and here, before he could 
Cry out for help, the breathless Azile stood, 

And bound him tightly with her velvet snood. 

Loud was the shout, and joyous, that arose 
From out that dreamy sailing boat, when those 
Who anxious waited there, beheld again 
Their proud victorious Azile, like the rain 
Dashing adown that conquered precipice 
With her dear captive, granting armistice 
Unto the cowering mountain, and the nest, 

Where now the parent eagles with unrest, 

Shrieked wildly round, and madly tore the air, 

With their fierce cries of vengeance and despair. 

Impatient readers! just one word with you : 
This subject grows in spite of all we do 
To cut it short; and now for your dear sakes— 

And ours also—we will pull up stakes, 

And leave Azile, and her fair company 
To rear the bird alone. Reluctantly 
We also pass the period, when grim War 
Sat brooding o’er the land, and from afar 
Come the insulting sneers of such as would 
See all Republics washed away with blood. 

And pass we by, with just a single word, 

The ealm and hopeful night, when that brave bird 
And all of Azile’s love, was given to him 
Who, when the noble Eighth in battle din 
Charged with the eagle, for the glorious stars, 
Received his death-wound ; and for many hours, 
While ebbed his life upon that blood drenched field, 
He saw his eagle, still upon the shield 
In thickest fire, “ like a god in wrath” 

Rushing upon the very face of death. 

With merest mention let us pass the time, 

When the bold Eighth, with torn and weakened line 
Took a short respite from the murderous strife; 
While the fierce eagle, reckless of his life, 

Winged boldly forth, with warriors eyes to scan, 



OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


The Rappahannock, and the Rapidan. 

At Fredericksburg he circled o’er the plain, 

Where one man’s blunder left ten thousand slain 
And bleeding heroes, weltering in the blood 
That yet cries up from suffering widowhood 
Throughout our stricken land, and says to those 
Who hurl our braves against her country’s foes, 

Be wise! be careful of the lives of men 
Who sacrifice their all on earth to gain 
For their dear land, a proud unsullied name. 

With moaning shriek, the sorrowing eagle flies, 

Back to the field, where now impatient lies 
The dauntless Eighth, most eager for the fray 
That Grant has promised them that very day, 

Before the walls of Vicksburg. Let us pass 
That brilliant conquest, and the lengthened mass 
Of blood washed victories, that around them fell, 

While still they held the stubborn war path well. 

Then, come we now, to that triumphant day. 

When, after serious loss and long delay, 

The North arose in all her majesty, 

To crush rebellion with a blow, and give 
Back in their teeth the lie, those that live 
In European bondage, and yet say 
Your great Republic now has passed away. 

Wild was the furious clanger that arose, 

From the innumerable mass of those, 

Who, forming now with rash impetuous ire, 

Loud clamored for the signal word to fire. 

It came at last, and from that living wall 
Blazed forth a stream of death that would appall 
And shame the warring angels, that with mild 
And tender playfulness, tore up the wild 
And shaggy mountains by their roots, and threw 
Upon the rebel hosts in Satan’s crew 
Enough of earth to keep them out of view. 

All day the battle raged! and hungry War, 

Had swallowed up the largest portion far 
Of those proud armies that at early morn 
Sprang to the call of the stern bugle horn; 

And yet, as if assured that this would be 
The last blind fight, for human slavery 
He gorged himself, and reaching out again, 

Flung thousands more upon that groaning plain. 

The battle often wavered ; but the oak— 

Stern and inspiring as the eagle croak 
That rang along the foremost bleeding line— 

Still firmly clashed against the Southern pine ; 

And the fierce cry that then came ringing out— 

“ Fight for the eagle, boys ! ” brought back the shout 
“•God and the eagle ! ” from ten thousand men, 

That now, like tigers fighting in their den, 

Sprang on the foe and carved their bloody way 
Through Lee’s last hope—and there they gained the day, 
God heard the shout in heaven, and the wind 
Bore proudly back to those who lay behind 
Breathing their last, the great victorious cry 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


43 


That bade them gladly clap their hands and die. 
Meantime the eagle, vaulting from his shield, 
And sweeping grandly o’er that glorious field, 
Caught up a little flag whose lettering said 
“ The Union lives again! Rebellion’s dead ! ” 
And, wheeling high in air, he shot across 
The broad Atlantic, to that friendly (?) coast 
Where despots live, and lightning on the crest. 
Of the now cowering lion, took his rest; 

Then rising, clapped his lordly eagle wings, 
There, in the face of monarchies and kings, 

And proudly waved the little flag that said 
‘ ‘ The Union lives again! Rebellion’s dead! ’ ’ 
The vision ended! let us leave him there 
High perched above the lion, with the prayer, 
That Victory’s dream be fully realized, 

And all the world be nobly eagleized. 


* The larger of the two lakelets of Madison. 


GENERAL ORDERS. 

Gens. Halleck, Pope and Plummer congratulate the troops on 
their achievements at Island 10, New Madrid and Point Pleasant : 

Headquarters, District Mississippi, 
[General Order, No. 30.] New Madrid, April 10th, 1862. 

The following dispatch from Major General Halleck, commanding this 
Department, has been received, and with this order, will be published at the 
head of every regiment and detachment of this command. 


Major General Pope: 


St. Louis, April 8th, 1862. 


I congratulate you and your command on your splendid achievement. It 
excels in boldness and brilliancy all the operations of the war. It will be 
memorable in military history, and will be admired by future generations. 
You deserve well of your country. 

H. W. HALLECK, 

Maj. Gen. Comd’g. 


The General Commanding has little to add to this dispatch. The conduct 
of the troops was splendid throughout. It was precisely what he expected. 
To such an army nothing is impossible, and the General Commanding hopes 
yet to lead them to some field where superiority of numbers and position 
will tempt the enemy to give them the opportunity to win the glory which 
they are so capable of achieving. 

The regiments and battalions of this command will inscribe on their flag, 
“ New Madrid and Island 10.” 

JOHN POPE, 

Maj. Gen. Comd'g. 







44 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


Headqarters, 5th Division, District of the Mississippi, 

New Madrid, April 10th, 1862. 

[General Order, No. 18.] 

The Commanding General of the Division, in publishing General Orders, 
No. 30, dated Head Quarters, Dist. of the Miss., New Madrid, April 10th, 
1862, to his Command, has nothing to add, except, that the praise therein 
bestowed has been nobly earned in the swamps, batteries and rifle-pits at 
Point Pleasant. 

J. B. PLUMMER, 

Brig. Gen. Comd'g. 


[General Order, No. 5.] 


Headquarters, 1st Brigade, 5th Division, 
District of the Miss., 

New Madrid, Mo., April, 13th, 1862. 


At one o’clock this p. m., the regiments composing this brigade will be 
paraded and General Order, No. 30, issued from Headquarters of this district, 
dated the 10th inst., also General Order, No. 18, issued from Headquarters 
of this division, bearing same date, will be read to the troops. 

The Colonel Commanding has the pleasure of informing the commanders 
of the regiments, that Maj. Gen. Pope verbally declares, that “the occupa¬ 
tion and holding of Point Pleasant was the key to the capture of Island 10, 
and he wishes this declaration of the general’s announced to the men. 

By order of 


E. T. Sprague, A. A. A. Gen. 


JOHN M. LOOMIS, 

Col. ComcVg Brigade. 


Ripley, Miss., Oct. 9th, 1862—9:30 P. M. 

General Stanley:— 

The Major General Commanding directs that you detach one of your best 
regiments, with three day’s rations, to deploy as skirmishers and sweep the 
Hatchie Bottom from your camp to Crampton’s Bridge, and there await fur¬ 
ther orders. 


Col. Hubbard :— 


Respectfully, 

S. C. LYPARD, 

Act'g A. D. C. 


You will detail the Eighth Reg. Wis. Yol., under command of Maj. Jeffer¬ 
son. The regiment will march to Ripley and provide themselves with three 
day’s rations, thence march east to a new camp, on Ridge Road, thence to 
Little Hatchie. At this point they will face north, and extend right flank 
till it rests on the Big Hatchie. They will move north, scouring the country 
taking up all prisoners, and will camp at Cram’s Bridge, on the Big Hatchie! 
where they will wait instructions. 

By order Brig. Gen. D. S. Stanley, 

WM. II. SINCLAIR, 

A. A. A. Gen. 


Col. Hubbard, 

Commanding 2d Brigade, 2d Division. 




TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


45 


GEN. PLUMMER’S ADDRESS TO HIS BRIGADE. 

Headquarters 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 

Army of the Miss., 

Camp near Corinth, May 29th, 1862. 

The General Commanding having been transferred to the command ©f a 
Division ot this army, feels that in justice to the brave men composing this 
Bngade, and to his own feelings, he cannot separate from them without ex¬ 
pressing his regret at the necessity for parting with those who have become 
endeared to him by long association and mutual kindnesses. 

On the battlefield and in the the trenches, on long and weary marches, 
amid privations, hardships and danger, your General has been proud to feel 
that he commanded men who united courage and gallantry in the face of 
danger, with patient and uncomplaining fortitude’ under fatigue and suf¬ 
fering. 

Y ou have won and deserved the confidence of your General, who can never 
lose his interest in your success and welfare; and he expects you to main¬ 
tain by your future gallantry and good conduct, the high reputation you now 
enjoy in this army. 

J. B. PLUMMER, 

Brig. Gen. 


Gen. Stanley’s Farewell Address to the Second Division. 

Headquarters Stanley’s Division, Left Wing, 
Army of the Tennessee, 

Camp near Grand Junction, November 12, 1862. 

[General Order No. 84.] 

Officers and Soldiers of the Division : 

After three-fourths of a year’s continuous service together, the fortune of 
war now calls us to different fields of labor. With a part of you, the First 
Brigade, I have been intimately and most pleasantly associated since your 
first organization. With the Second Brigade my relations have not been so 
long continued, but have been none the less pleasant. I leave you now, all 
of you, with feelings of deepest gratitude to you, and sorrow that we must 
separate. It is with feelings of pride that I can call to your memory, that 
our labors have not been altogether fruitless in furtherance of the great 
cause in which all patriots of our country, with common mind, are now en¬ 
gaged. I can refer with pride to your labors—to your valor at New Madrid, 
Island 10, the siege of Corinth, to Farmington, and to the 28th of May, un¬ 
mentioned in history, but creditable in the largest degree to those engaged in 
the gallant affair, and, finally, soldiers, to Iuka and Corinth, as your last 
great successes in your country’s cause. 

Of your marches and exposures, far more trying to you than the field of 
battle, I can speak only to praise you. In all these I have felt for you, and 
suffered a soldier’s lot with you. 

If you feel any of the gratitude for me I do for you, let me pray of you, 
brave men, to serve my successor with the same zeal and same discipline 
you have me. Remember that discipline is the bond of brotherhood among 
soldiers, and disregard to it would disgrace the holy cause we serve. 

By order of Brig. Gen. D. S. Stanley, 

(Signed,) WM. II. SINCLAIR, 

A. A. Gen. 


46 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


Gen. Grant orders a combined assault on the enemy's works at 
Vicksburg: 

, Headquarters Department of the Tennessee, 

Near Vicksburg, May 21st, 1863. 

[General Field Orders, No, —.] 

A simultaneous attack will be made to-morrow at 10 o’clock a. m. by all 
the army corps of this army. During to-day army corps commanders will 
have examined all practicable routes over which troops can possibly pass. 
They will get in position all the artillery possible, and gain all the ground 
they can with their infantry and skirmishers. At an early hour in the 
morning, a vigorous attack will be made by the artillery and skirmishers. 

The infantry, with the exception of reserves and skirmishers, will be 
placed in column of platoon or by a flank, if the ground over which they 
may have to pass will not admit of a greater front, ready to move forward 
at the hour designated. Promptly at the hour designated, all will start at 
quick time with bayonets fixed, and march immediately upon the onemy, 
without firing a gun till the outer works are carried. 

The troops will go light, carrying with them only their ammunition, can¬ 
teens and one day’s rations. 

The skirmishers will advance as soon as possible after the heads of col¬ 
umns pass them, and scale the walls of such works as may confront them. 

If prosecuted with vigor, it is confidently believed this course will carry 
Vicksburg in a very short time, and with very much less loss than would be 
sustained by delay. Every day’s delay enables the enemy to strengthen his 
defences, and increases his chance of receiving aid from outside. 

By order of Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, 

JNO. A. RAWLINS, 

A. A. Gen. 


Maj. Gen. Sherman’s Congratulatory Address to bis command. 

Headquarters 15th Army Corps, Dep’t of the Tennessee, 
Camp on Black River, Miss., July 27th, 1863. 

To the Officers and Soldiers of the Fifteenth Army Corps : 

When, in the progress of war, time and opportuuity presents a favorable 
occasion, it is well we should pause and reflect upon the past. 

In November, of last year, we were mostly at Helena and Memphis. The 
enemy lay in force behind entrenchments of his own choice at the Talla¬ 
hatchie, boastful of his power and strength, defiant and insulting in his 
tone. In combination with our fellow soldiers of the Army of the Tennes¬ 
see, we advanced directly against him,- while a force from Helena thrust 
laterally at Grenada, made him leave in haste and confusion, and fall behind 
the Yalabusha and the Yazoo, with Vicksburg and its frowning hills and 
batteries, as his impregnable stronghold. It then became our part of the 
grand drama to strike this stronghold, and we moved against it with expe¬ 
dition and a firm resolution to succeed. But there are in war, as in peace, 
limits to the power of the bravest, men, and we failed to carry by a dash the 
line of bluffs and forts that had been prepared with consummate art, and 
defended by a brave and skillful enemy. Not daunted, we drew off to pre¬ 
pare anew for a more powerful blow. Time offering the opportunity, instead 
of awaiting in idleness, we turned against Arkansas Post, and by a quick 
and skillful movement we reduced and captured Fort Hindman, with all its 
garrison and material of war. Then returning to the original purpose of 



TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN TIIE SOUTHWEST. 47 

ot streams that afforded any chance of reaching the land above Vicksburc 
and it was our pleasmg task, when, in March laft, durin “one of these ezuf 
ditions when the safety of our gunboat fleet was threatened tobaXn 

weTo^v Sw^hat t?thTl’ah nd ca f brake a , nd 8to ™. to its assistance, and 
we now Know that to the labor and energy then displayed the count™ nw ., 

»!«waBijr “»-*• 

burg ^pre^nablc^ro^t^e 1 river,^nl^noidh sideband our^eneral'imd 
resolved to leach it from the south, we aided much in passing the necessary 
GrandS » u Vicksburg and when the first battle was to begin at 
mv hv ?f!i’I/ ,? * n C ,m P° r . ta, ; t but ungrateful task of deceiving ou? ene- 
fertbf ^nn r 8 ^r d l tt C i k 0 °° Ha "! c 3 BI « ff - This feint or diversion was pcr- 
8UC r 8fUl ’ 8nd or weeks "’ e succee ded admirably in confusing and 
deceiving the enemy as to our purposes, and contributed largely thereby in 
gaming a successful foothold on land below Vicksburg, ffe^by TrapS 

Ttt'ZlZ^ “ ur . comradcs . and with them swfpt the enemy before 

skill the verv’uoinl 'h T-’" t Vlcksbur & reaching, after unciampled 
s “"» ;, e v .ery points we had aimed to secure in December. 

That Vl £ ksbur S becomes your commander now to speak. 

Genp il 5 ri ^77 C k 1TS P® r *? rme< ? lts ful1 share of labor and fighting our 
General-in-Chief has borne full testimony, and our colors will ever bear in 

But*before°f ih*t hist ? ri ® al event » th e appropriate mirk, 

fhc Jj/fS h K i^ U f Clty ’ one of the most skillful of ^e generals of 
he mighty rebellion was known to be hurrying to our rear with a large 

Ids* 1 conmiamlcr of^t 1 "“h andboasti ”S ‘hat he would not only reliefe 

We 8 d f th , e , bcl ® a « uel ' ed CI *y- but destroy and annihilate our army. 
.Idtt • ’ P r’ cal lf d from our trenches to watch this dangerous enemy, 
nt w ?fc known that our watchfulness baffled his purposes, and when 
a penitent ^‘bday of <>«* Nation, Vicksburg sunk helpless and 

thlT t into our military power, we were called on, without rest to drop 
the pick and seize the musket and driye away that army which had insolent¬ 
ly threatened our very existence. History affords few parallels of the 
STV* s “ cc f 80f , tb ' 3 march Vicksburg surrendered on the 4 th of 
enim„ H t l 3 */ BIa f k Elver on the 6th, and on the 8th we had forced the 

resnrftn ii, e - r t S u 5 13 trcncbes a t Jackson. Again, we had to 

resort to the pick and shovel, but our enemy, reading his certain doom in the 

r!, J T'S “'Tf °J. the cover ot “ight aad fl« d across the 
Pearl River, and the Valley of the Mississippi became at last free of the pre- 
sence of an hostile army. J ^ 

Having, then destroyed the Great Central Railroad for one hundred miles 
in extent, and thereby made it useless to our foe in after campaigns, we have 
quietly returned to our camps and supplies, ready for any new events that 
may require our services. 

Y our commander in thus briefly reciting the events of the past seven 
months, thmks, in them, every officer and man has good reason to flatter him- 
seit that in producing this great result, he has borne a part. In after years 
it will be the subject of pride to himself and children, and we knowhow our 
fellow countrymen were wild with joy when the telegraph spread the good 
tidings that the Mississippi was again made free by the courage and perse¬ 
verance of their brave volunteers, and that once more every American could 
steam up and down this majestic river without fearing the hissing shell, or 
whizzing bullet of a foe from its ambushed shores. 


48 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


Let the magnificent result give to all new hope and assurance that by dis¬ 
cipline, by patient industry, by courage and confidence in our country and 
cause, the United States of America will, instead of sinking into Mexican 
anarchy, arise with proud honor and glory, and become what Washington 
designed it, the freest and best regulated government on earth. 

W. T. SHERMAN, 

Major General Commanding. 


Complimentary letter from Maj. Gen. Sherman to the Gover¬ 
nor of Wisconsin : 

Headquarters 15th Army Corps, 

Camp on Big Black, Sept. 21st, 1863. 

To His Excellency , the Governor of Wisconsin: 

Sir —Lt. Col. Jefferson, of the Eighth Wisconsin, is about to start for his 
home on a short leave of absence, during the period of rest allowed us by 
the lull of military events in this quarter. I avail myself of the opportu¬ 
nity to express to you my personal and official approbation of the entire 
regiment since I have had the honor to count it as one of my command. 
The Eighth Wisconsin has ever done its whole duty, in the camp, on the 
march and in battle. It has shared with us all the honors and success of our 
conquest of Mississippi, and has displayed peculiar courage and gallantry at 
Jackson, May 14th, and throughout the seige of Vicksburg. 

It also, under the leadership of Gen. Mower, cleared the west bank of the 
river, driving the enemy out of Richmond, La., and bore patiently and man¬ 
fully the deadly sickness of Young’s Point, till the fall of Vicksburg admit¬ 
ted of its recall to join us on this higher and more healthy ground. I am 
glad to report that the men are fast recovering from the sickness caused by 
that exposure, and I hope it will share with us our future labors and hon- 
ors.. If within your power, I hope you will fill its thinned ranks, and then 
I will promise all I can to ensure its return to your State, bearing a full 
share of honor and fame in the establishment of our General Government on 
a basis so firm, that no internal or external power can shake it durino- this 
generation. 

With great respect, etc., 

W. T. SHERMAN, 

Maj. Gen. 


/ 



TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


49 


CORRESPONDENCE. 


Camp Bitkmsidk, Pilot Knob, Mo., 
November 1st, 1861. 

Presunfiing that you would like to hear directly from the Eighth Regiment, 
and having a few leisure moments to myself, I will give you a few lines 
from my feeble pen, with as graphic a description of our journey thus far 
as my limited ability will allow. We are comfortably quartered in Camp 
Burnside, in the village of Pilot Knob, Mo., and a more hearty and happy 
set of fellows you never saw or heard of in your life. 

* T W — n< ? w ca,rr y y° u back to the time of our arrival in Chicago, 
(where I joined the regiment,) and describe our journey to this place. We 
started from the Central Depot, Chicago, at 9 o’clock p. m., October 12th, 
and arrived in St. Louis at 10 o’clock p. m., October 13th—or on the oppo¬ 
site side of the river—where we stayed all night in the cars, crossed the 
river the next, morning in a government steamer, and marched four miles to 
Benton Barracks. Our journey over the prairies of Illinois was one con¬ 
tinual ovation, from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi. Every town we 
passed through, the people greeted the Eighth with rounds of cheers, and 
refreshments were poured in upon us. You can believe the boys did ample 
justice to them—they did not, I can assure you, need a second invitation to 
pitch in and replenish the inner man. I never saw the Mississippi river be¬ 
fore. It was a gay scene to behold the little steamer as she crossed the riv¬ 
er, laden down with that merry band of “ Badger Boys.” The band playing 
the “ Star Spangled Banner, and the ladies waving their kerchiefs proudly 
at our approach, and as we marched through Saint Louis, the people were 
out to greet us with their smiles. The little darkies hurrahed for the Union, 
and one old “ Dinah,” in particular, I shall never forget, she laughed to 
heartily, showing her white pearly teeth and “big eyes,” and crying out as 
the top of her voice, “Go in boys! Go in! God bress ye!” Every one 
seemed to be for the UnioD, and the ladies especially were in for the Union 
to a “man.” We had hardly got settled in Camp Benton and rested from 
our journey, when we were ordered away. 

I will turn to my journal, and give you a more correct account of our 
travels, with dates, etc. 

October 16th, the left wing of the regiment left St. Louis for Pilot 
Knob, the right having moved the previous evening, by the St. Louis and 
Iron Mountain Railroad, and formed a junction with the right wing at Do 
Soto This is a small town on the line of the railroad, about twenty-five 
miles from St. Louis. Here we encamped for the night—sleeping on the 
ground—oxpecting an attack any moment, as the rebels were seen skulking 
around before we arrived, and the town was nearly depopulated for fear of 
being captured by them Our pickets captured secesh, and we brought them 
along to this place. 

We left De Soto October 17th, and at Big River, Companies K and II, were 
sent forward to Pilot Knob, the balance of the regiment remaining to re¬ 
move baggage across the river, the railroad bridge having been burned by 
the rebels on the night of October 13th. During the night of October 17th, 
the rest of the regiment arrived at Pilot Knob, except Company G, which 
remained at the burned bridge to guard the baggage, and which joined the 
regiment at this place, October 19th. 

In the afternoon of October 20th, the whole regiment marched for Fred- 
ericktown, twenty-four miles distant—marched all night and arrived at 8 
a. m. the next morning. We were accompanied by three Illinois regiments 
of infantry, an Indiana regiment of cavalry, a brave set of fellows, and a 

4 



50 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OB 


battery of artillery from St. Louis. At Fredericktown we formed a junc¬ 
tion with two other regiments of Illinois troops from Cape Girardeau, and 
some cavalry. 

At 2 p. m. the whole force moved south, and when the advance was about 
one mile south of Fredericktown it met a large force of rebels. An engage¬ 
ment ensued, which, after about three hours fighting, resulted in the total 
route of the rebel force. They ran like dogs, leaving their killed and wound¬ 
ed on the field. Their loss was about four hundred, and ours not to ex¬ 
ceed ten. Our regiment marched up like heroes, ready to dash in, when an 
order came from Col. Carlin, who was in command of the Union forces, for 
the Eighth to fall back to to the Court House, half a mile, as a reserve. The 
boys did not like this move—they were anxious to pitch in. On the 22d we 
marched about twelve miles south, and finding the rebel army was entirely 
broken up, we returned the next day to Fredericktown, and on the 25th, 
returned to this place, where we still remain. We expect, however, to leave 
this locality in a few days, and we will be heartily glad of it. 

Pilot Knob, I believe, is the last place on earth that the Lord created, and 
when he had finished it he could not have “pronounced it good.” It is a 
place of about two hundred inhabitants, including the snakes and mules , in 
which it abounds. It is quite sickly in these parts, and fevers of all kinds 
prevail. The ague is a regular home institution. I think every family has 
one or more cases of this disagreeable though not dangerous disease. The 
females (I have seen two in town,) and one, I am informed, has three hus¬ 
bands in the rebel army, and their “better half” has come here to be pro¬ 
tected by the Wisconsin boys. I heard it said that the girls in this State 
were sweet, because they are “Mo-lasses!! ” but deliver me from such sweets! 
There is no society here—the most aristocratic families around here will 
compare favorably with our lowest classes at home 

The country abounds in iron, and there is a furnace in town that runs off 
an immense quantity of pigs , several litters, I think, every day. If a 
person dies and is in the ground a month (the soil is so full of iron) it 
becomes a solid mass of iron, is run up into pigs and sent off to market. 

I presume you can hardly credit it, but you have it as good as it came 
to me. 

Loadstones are abundant. We are loading our bayonets with loadstone for 
the purpose of drawing the enemy into ambush. 

Yesterday a squad of us went up on the Pilot Knob proper. It is a hill of 
solid iron, 500 feet above the town, and on the summit is a rough pile of 
rock. A Union flag floats from a pole on the top. It is a tedious tramp to 
ascend the Knob, and it takes “two men and a boy” to look to the top of it. 
It is from this peak (so said) that Fremont once made a speech years a^o. 

The “Badger Boys” are all in good spirits, and they long for peace^or a 
fight. I think they would be enough for any rebel force that dare show 
themselves. Col. Murphy is liked by his men. They would wade knee-dc e > 
through blood for their commander. J. W. stands it like a Major . He makes 
a good and efficient officer. We are gelling somewhat used to the hardships 
of camp life. We cook, eat, drink and wash in the same dish, and if per¬ 
chance we should find in our coffee anything larger than a lizard, we do not 
grumble. We relish it bravely, and only wish we were permitted to dine at 
the old “American”—just for a change. But that can not be yet a while. 
We only trust that we may some day return to the beautiful City of Ijikes 
“ when the pain of absence will be banished by the pleasure of meetum” our 
“dear friends at home.” ° 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN TUB SOUTHWEST. 


51 


Camp Burnside, Pilot Knob, Mo., 

November 16, 1861. 

Another beautiful day lias dawned upon Camp Burnside, and quiet reigns 
supreme. Most of the boys have repaired to their tents, and are passing 
away into the arms of Morpheus, save a few who are preparing their meals 
oyer the camp fires, and others engaged in writing to their friends in old 
Wisconsin. 

Ycster afternoon the Eighth Regiment arrived in camp after an absence of 
eleven days, marching through the southern portion of the State in search 
of secesh. On the 6th inst. the order came for us to take our departure 
It came rather unexpectedly, but notwithstanding, the boys were up and 
dressed, armed and equipped, in battle array, and on the start by ten 
a. m. We did not know our destination, but. only knew we were going 
south. The force that marched on this expedition was about 3,000, includ¬ 
ing some Illinois and Indiana infartry, Missouri cavalry, and a battery. 
There are many incidents connected with our journey, together with a de¬ 
scription of our march, notes by the wayside, etc., that will be of some 
interest to those having friends in the Eighth, and 1 will endeavor to give 
them to you as correctly as l can. 

We arrived the third day at Greenville, about forty miles distant. The 
town was nearly deserted, only three or four families remaining, the rest 
having gone off with Jeff. Thompson’s army. They had probably heard that 
the “ Live Eagle Regiment,” (of which they have a dread), was coming and 
had fled to parts unknown. 

We encamped for the night in Greenville, on the banks of St. Francis 
river. Here the boys had a fine time bathing. The people in that vicinity 
had forgotten to take all their personal property when they went away, so 
some of the boys, to us unknown, pitched in and helped themselves to chick¬ 
ens, ducks, geese, pigs, etc. I should have thought the Eighth might have 
shared in the feast! Everything, in fact, eatable, was eaten. The little pigs 
gave their last squeel, the ducks gave their last quack, the geese had paddled 
across the river for the last time, and the “wide-awake” shanghai chickens 
all sacrificed their dear lives for the sake of the Union. In fact, Greenville 
was almost deserted—houses tenantless, and everything quiet in town. 

After remaining in camp one day, we pulled up stakes and marched twenty- 
six miles south, towards Arkansas, About two miles out, we passed the res¬ 
idence of Judge Jackson, of this circuit. As we came up, he unfurled the 
American flag and moved it to the breeze. The boys gave three hearty 
cheers for the Judge, and the hills rang with their “tigers!” After march¬ 
ing to within five miles of Boonville, the boys rested for the night, and find 
rg, the next morning, that the rebels had “ vamoosed the ranche,” wo 
turned back, marched about fifteen miles a day, and reached Pilot Knob 
yesterday, the 16th, at 3 p. m., heartily glad to get back to camp. 

As far as the country is concerned, I would not give the poorest farm in 
Wisconsin for the whole county we have passed through on our march, for 
farming purposes, and be obliged to live here. The sun does not shine in 
the valleys till near noon; the hills are higher, the valleys deeper, and the 
rocks larger than are desirable. Nature has overdone herself in forming this 
country. Hills, rocks of stone, bluffs of solid iron and lead, are piled up pro¬ 
miscuously without the slightest regard to beauty or convenience. It is de¬ 
cidedly a rich mineral region, and that is all it is good for. Iron, lead and load- 
Btone abound in vast quantities. Some of the boys have been out in search 
of a sealing-wax mine, said to be somewhere in this vicinity! If they suc¬ 
ceed in finding it, I will send you some specimens. 

It is indeed surprising to notice the destitution throughout the country. 
Husbands have left their starving families at homo and gone off to fight with 


52 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OK 


their traitor brothers. Dupes that they are—they do not appear to be more 
than half civilized; a sneaking, puny set of men, who dare not face a true 
American—ununiformed, and armed with every conceivable weapon, from a 
pitchfork down to a tooth pick. We brought in sixteen secesh prisoners, 
one of whom was Jelf. Thomson’s Quartermaster. This man has been scour¬ 
ing the country for beef and provisions, and was a man of some note among 
the rebels. They have taken this distinguished personage to St. Louis for 
safe keeping. The balance of the prisoners are in the guard house at this 
place. In all, we have about 150 prisoners. They have been formed into 
a company called Company “ Q.” Their duties are to work on the entrench¬ 
ments, march to their meals and lodge in the prison. We have two guard 
houses full of these insignificant wretches, and plenty of room for more. 
Not many are released merely by taking the oath, but are employed to good 
advantage by working their way, as they deserve. It is a laughable sight 
to see them marching through the streets. 

The Eighth Itegiment have proven themselves, in every respect, superior 
to any of the troops around here, both on the march and deportment in 
camp. They are complimented by all, and as a note worthy of mention, 
which came under the observation of one entitled to integrity, showing the 
opinion that is entertained towards our boys. I will give it: while on our 
march south, a certain gentleman came riding up to a distinguished officer 
in command of another regiment, and inquired what regiment he was 
Colonel of? Ho turned in his saddle, and pointing to our regiment coming 
over the hill, said, “The Eighth Wisconsin, sir!” The fact is, thi 3 gentle¬ 
man has only about 500 men in his regiment, and when the story came out, 
it was rather a laughable coincidence, and made considerable fun for us. 
The boys would not accept of the proffered honor; they are satisfied with 
their present leader. No doubt the distinguished gentleman would feel 
proud of the position, but I dont think that our gallant Colonel would con¬ 
sent to such a change. Colonel Murphy has the faculty of pleasing his men, 
and they like their commander. He is sociable and still dignified, and com¬ 
mands respect. A noble tribute was paid by Colonel Murphy to his men, 
on their arrival in camp yesterday. As the men stood in line, before being 
dismissed, our commander made a brief though very affecting speech to his 
men, complimenting them on their noble conduct during their long and tedi¬ 
ous march; “that he felt proud of them as gentlemen—as soldiers. That if 
they felt towards him as he could not but feel towards them, he could ask 
for nothing more,” etc. When he had finished his remarks, many an eye was 
moistened with tears. The Major proposed three cheers for Colonel Murphy, 
and the boys gave three times three with a rousing “tiger.” Three cheers 
were then given for Lieut. Col. Robbins, three cheers for Major Jefferson 
and “the Union for ever.” 

As I stated before, this is indeed a lovely day. “Old Sol” is shedding his 
warm rays down into the valley of Pilot Knob—one would' not feel uncom¬ 
fortable without a coat. I hope the sun will continue to shine while we re¬ 
main here, for it makes one feel cheerful if all else is desolation. We have 
warm days, but the nights are becoming quite cool. Though we have plenty 
of straw to sleep on; some of the boys are catching colds and getting down 
with the measles. This disease seems to prevail to an alarming extent We 
have about 300 unfit for duty, mostly from measlesj but by keeping from 
the cold, and with good care, we hope to see them all around with us again 
soon. The water is so full of mineral, it is weakening to the system, and 
many, from drinking too much of it, are complaining of headaches, weak¬ 
ness of limbs and general indisposition. You can rationally presume that 
the water, being so highly impregnated with iron, must, as a matter of 
course, De a hard drink. Y r our humble correspondent has, thus far, escaped 
all the complaints so prevalent in this southern climate, and he can only 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN TUB SOUtHWEST. 


53 


attribute it to being a strict temperance man! He will not allow himself to 
make too free use of ardent spirits—“Iron Water.” His principal drink is 
weak coffee. He does not drink tea, because, “like poor Jack, lie couldn’t 
get it.” 

It is somewhat pleasing to see some of the boys when they are anxious to 
take the “ wee bit of the cratur,” and can’t get it. They will watch a saloon 
until some officer comes out, and they will try to persuade their superior that 
it is decidedly necessary that they should have something to drink, as they 
teel very unwell. With a stern— (hie! perhaps hie /)—look the officer gazes 
upon the forlorn being before him, whose expression of countenance would 
bespeak anxiety, and his mouth screwed up to a whistling position, as he 
utters: “Captain, I say, I’m very much in need of something ,” etc., etc. Per¬ 
haps the captain will take pity on the poor fellow, and will condescend to 
speak a good word to the keeper, but, if not, the fellow contents himself 
with mere staring into the captain’s face, watching his steps as he walks 
away, uttering to himself, “actions speak louder than words,” and he thinks 
from appearance of things, he is well without his glass of medicine! 

We have lost three men since arriving in Missouri. Two were accidently 
kille^ one of whom by the accidental discharge of a gun in one of his com¬ 
rades hands, and another was killed by falling against a “drive wheel” in 
the iron furnace. Lieut. Stevens, of the Sheboygan Rifles, died on the 6th of 
typhoid fever, and was buried with military honors. 

Gen. Fremont’s removal does not seem to create much excitement in camp. 
In fact nothing is said about it. We only trust that if it is so, there may be 
as good a man put in his place. Three rousing cheers for the American 
flag that now floats in secesh land, and three more for the Democratic vio- 
tory in old Wisconsin. 


Camp Cuktis, Sulhur Springs, Mo., 
December 4th, 1861. 

Since writing my last, of Nov. 16th, nothing of importance has transpired 
to mar the usual monotony of camp life, save a few changes that have taken 
place in our command, etc. 

On the 25th of November, one week ago Monday, at 9 o’clock, a. m., we 
bade adieu to the rough hills, rugged peaks and isolated grandeur that sur¬ 
rounds Pilot Knob, and started on the Iron Mountain Railroad for Sulphur 
Springs, arriving here at 4 o’clock p. m. of that day (eighty-six miles.) Found 
the 11th regiment encamped here, they having arrived on Friday, 22d, and such 
a cheering as they gave us on our arrival, you never heard before. We were 
glad to meet them. After all the preliminaries of disembarking from the cars, 
pitching tents, etc., were gone through, we went over to see the boys in camp, 
and found them looking as gay as their new uniforms would allow. They 
make a very good appearance. Saw Charley Chittenden, Captain Chase, 
Adjutant Lincoln, and had a hearty shake of the hand with all the Madison 
boys. They had a great many questions to ask concerning our “adventures 
by sea and land,” and we had a great many stories to relate of the times we 
had with the rebels at Fredericktown, and how we didn’t run when we saw 
them, etc. Some of the boys, I presume, spread it on pretty thick, just to 
see them look skeery. They have not yet seen the elephant. After they have 
been in service a while, they will begin to imagine that “ it is not all gold 
that glitters.” Their bright uniform will fade some after marching through 
the dust and sleeping on the ground without any covering but the blue can¬ 
opy of heaven above them. I imagine that the bacon and hard crackers will 
soon wean them. But, they are our boys, our friends at home and in battle. 



54 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OS 


Long may we remain together. It is indeed pleasant to meet their 
familiar faces among us. We are looking every day for the 12th and 13th 
regiments, and then we will probably be formed into a brigade. 

Col. Murphy assumed command of this post on the 28th of November. He 
has about 3,000 or more under his immediate command, including all the 
troops between Jefferson Barracks and Big River Bridge, a distance of forty 
miles or more. 

Major Jefferson, with two companies of our regiment, was ordered by Col. 
Carlin, on the 21st of November, to take command of the line of railroad 
from Big River Bridge to Pilot. Knob. He is encamped about thirty miles 
this side of the latter place. 

The orders are very strict, and the Provost Marshal of this post, Lieut. W. 
L. Freeman, of the 11th regiment, has no respect for beauty, age, etc., there¬ 
fore I must hasten on my letter and go to ray bundle of straw, or I will be put 
in the guard house for keeping a light burning after o’clock at night. 

This post is called “Camp Curtis,” and named in honor of Gen. Curtis, of 
St. Louis. We are encamped on the hill-side overlooking the Mississippi, 
where we have a fine view of the steamers as they pass up and down the 
river. The cars of the Iron Mountain Railroad run by, and within twenty 
rods of our camp. The 11th regiment is encamped in the valley bel<& us, 
and a small brook, that emanates from a cool spring about two'miles from 
here, emptying into the Mississippi river, divides the two camps. We have a 
parade ground that far excels the one in Camp Randall. Dress parades, 
battalion drills and skirmishing are going on constantly. 

Monday night last snow fell to the depth of three inches on the level, and 
the weather has been very cold for the last few days; our tents are quite 
comfortable however, having built fire-places in them with stone and mud 
chimneys. To-day again the sun is smiling down upon us. The snow is fast 
disappearing before its warm rays, and the camp has a cheering aspect once 
more. Eight of our companions have died since leaving Wisconsin, and most 
of the sick are fast recovering. Our hospital, under the supervision of Dr. 
Thornhill, is located one and a half miles from camp in the woods near a 
beautiful spring, which has ouce been a fashionable summer resort for plea¬ 
sure seekers from St, Louis, and from which this place derives its name_ 

“ Sulphur Spring.” 

^ Three gunboats from St. Louis passed down the river yesterday bound for 
Cairo. The Mississippi river has a very rapid current—running about five 
miles an hour. They talk of stationing a guard on the shore for fear the 
river may secede and turn and run up stream! There are a few “colored 
individuals” around here—occasionally we see a “nigger in the fence some 
whar.”_ Company “G” has a contraband negro boy about fourteen years 
old, be is a bright little fellow and is highly pleased with military life. He 
followed the regiment from Fredericktown. We had quite a number of these 
Ebony fellows when we returned from our expedition, but their masters came 
and claimed them and we gave them, up, except this one, and he would not 
go with “massa, but went and hid himself, vowing that he was going along 
with the Wisconsin boys—he is bound to see the war through We do not 
meet auy open secessionists, but there are many, I presume, through the 
country, though they dare not show themselves. As far as natural scenery 
is concerned, this part ot the country is a paradise compared with Pilot Knob 
but the inhabitants are about on the same scale. Everything (to use a com¬ 
mon expression) is at loose ends. There is no energy or ambition among the 
people—if they have enough to eat and drink, it is all they desire. When 
peace is declared, if there arc any of us left, we propose colonizing this for¬ 
saken part of the world. Don’t you think it would be a grand speculation? 
There are plenty of yoiler gals around here that hnow how to make a hoe- 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN TIIK SOUTOWKST. 55 

cake, and the boys aver that they are as good looking as any of the Wiscon¬ 
sin belles. What an absurd idea. 

I must bring my scribbling to a close. You would laugh to see the table 
we have constructed to write upon—two of the boys will stretch themselves 
out upon the straw, face downwards, a few feet apart. We then place a 
board from one to the other across their backs, and then get upon our knees 
between them with our stationary before us, not forgetting to light our mear- 
scham pipe, however, and this is the way we write to our friends. 

Yours for the Union. 

P. fe. I have opened this letter to add that we have received orders from 
headquarters to be in readiness to march at a moments notice. Our desti¬ 
nation will probably be back to Pilot Knob and Fredericktown. They say 
that Hardee and Thompsou are coming up. We will meet them. 


Camp Curtis, Sulphur Springs, Mo., 
December 13th, 1861. 

’Tis the bright, deepening twilight of welcome eve—the twinkling stars 
stand sentinels to the bright moon as she glides so proudly on through the 
blue heavens in her nightly wanderings. All nature seems wrapt in a quiet 
dream. It is, indeed, a most charming night, and as I do not feel like clos¬ 
ing my peepers yet awhile, 1 will improve an hour or so in scribbling a few 
hasty lines for the special edification of the numerous readers of your inval¬ 
uable paper. Since you have seen fit to class my name in the category of 
your correspondents and assigned me a special column, you will hear 
from me occasionally. I will endeavor to give you a graphic account of 
events as they may come under my observation. 

Nothing as yet has occurred, since my last, to interest you. We still 
remain in Camp Curtis, and from present indications we are to remain here 
forsome time to come, still, we may be orderedaway before I close this letter. 
(I hope we shall, that I may have something to write about.) Such is life 
in war. We are subject to orders from headquarters, and are liable to be 
ordered away at any time. We are always in readiness. In my last letter 
I wrote that we were ordered to be ready to march at a moment’s warning, 
and I did believe ere this that we would be far away from here. We are 
still here. Not much excitement, all is quiet save many rumors that come 
floating by like the passing wind, or the waters of the Mississippi. We hear 
of rebels in the Southwest part of the State, and occasionally a skirmish 
they have had with our Union troops. ’3ut they are pretty near cleared 
from the State. Price is still hanging around—he will probably meet with 
a warm reception in a few days. In one month’s time from this I do not 
believe there will be many traitors remaining in Mississippi. Last week, 
however, Col. Murphy received a message from Big Iviver Bridge, stating 
that they apprehended an attack from the enemy, and wanted more help. 
The colonel immediately ordered two companies of the 11th regiment down 
there; also one company was sent to Victoria to guard bridges, etc. Since 
then all is quiet in that part, and I guess, if the rebels attempt to burn the 
bridges again, they will wish they had never come into this part of the 
country. Since the Eighth left Pilot Knob, old Jeff. Thompson is said to be 
coming up from the Southwest with a large force and has threatened an at¬ 
tack on that place, and to prevent reinforcements of our troops coming up, 
he has attempted to destroy the railroad bridges. But this he cannot do, as 
the road and bridges are strongly fortified by men who will fight till the last 
to defend them These rumors may not be reliable, though there are meu 



56 


OPENING OP THK MISSISSIPPI; OR 


prowling around nights seeking an opportunity to destroy these bridges, 
and hinder the transportation of troops and stores. One man may burn a 
bridge, and therefore we have stationed men along the line to guard against 
these fiendish wretches and their dark deeds. They have destroyed one fine 
bridge, which cost at least $10,000. It may be very pleasant amusement 
burning bridges, but dear fun to those who have to build them. 

One little incident occurred a few evenings ago that created quite an 
excitement, followed with a hearty laugh. About 9 o’clock in the evening, 
when all was quiet in camp, a soldier, dressed in blue, came riding up to 
Headquarters, all excitement, leaping from his horse—he rushed into the 
Colonel’s quarters, exclaiming at the top of his voice—“our pickets have 
been fired at, they are shooting at us and we want help—that the woods 
were full of rebels, and he had borrowed a horse and saddle to come after 
help.” He had, in his delirium, forgotten that he had lost his saddle from 
under him. He must have rode very fast to have lost his saddle off, and not 
know it till lie reached camp. The firing was plainly heard by us all! The 
news spread like “ wild-fire” through the camp, and in less than ten minutes 
the whole regiment were on the ground—that is to say—walking around 
their tents in their stocking feet, looking at the beautiful moon, and wonder¬ 
ing who had been caught in a trap this time! Our boys were not badly 
frightened; they had been humbuged too often to believe so “good news” as 
they express it. The morning came, and we would await the result and see 
what it amounted to. We did wait, and it amounted to just nothing —it was 
only a screech owl! But I had a terrible dream that night of having a despe¬ 
rate conflict with a black rebel. I rushed out from under my blanket—shook 
the straw out of my hair—grabbed closely in my hands knife and fork, (the 
only weapons I am master of!) rushed upon my antagonist, and plunged 
them both to the hilt. But just at that moment my eyes opened to gaze upon 
my victim, when to my utter astonishment, found I had captured only a 
delicious slice of bacon! I finished my lunch, laid down again and concluded 
my dreaming, knapping and (as my mess-mates aver) the whole of the bacon 
also. They had none for breakfast and / concluded not to have any myself! 
We find many things in camp life to amuse us. It is a romantic kind of 
life—moving around from one point to another—with now and then a fight 
just to keep the pulse in good order. Oh, who would not be a « bold soldier 
boy?” 


The boys got up a dance over the way last night, and we had the pleasure 
for the first time since leaving “Badgcrdom,” of “tripping the light, fan¬ 
tastic toe,” with the Missouri girls. It is the first sight I have had of a 
piece of silk goods—(’tuck jeans being the staple production here.) The 
girls were good-looking—in fact pretty, and the young volunteers very polite 
and agreeable. The dance did not break up till two o’clock this morning 
when the boys presented arms, and escorted the fair ones to their homes 

It is quite warm here—no snow and no snow banks to shovel away from 
your door before you can get out. All is pleasant without, and I believe it 
would be comfortable enough to sleep outside of the tents to-nioht. 

There are many temptations of vice in the life of a soldier, and°one becomes 
reckless, caring nothing for themselves or the future. 

We have a beautiful camping ground, with high hills on the north, south 
and west, covered with oak and hickory trees. The Eighth Regiment is 
encamped on a slope some thirty feet higher than the 11th. I send a rou<rh 
sketch of Camp Curtis, from which you can see our position and the lav^f 
the land surrounding it. J 

Major Jefferson is still in command of the Iron Mountain railroad from 
® 1 ?.^ lver 1 to Pl ^ ot ^nob. He has about 750 men under his command is 
building log cabins to make his men comfortable, and his boys are bavins 
rare sport shooting wild turkeys, deer, etc. Yesterday he passed through 
here en route for St. Louis. He reports all quiet in his district 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


67 


Camp Curtis, Sulphur Springs, Mo., 
December 23d, 1861. 

Yesterday it snowed and blowed furiously ; all the live long day the storm 
raged pre-eminent—high winds and chilling blasts. No dress parade, no 
battalion drill, and the boys are trying to keep comfortable around their fire 
places, which, by the way, are a grand institution in cold weather. With 
the exception of a few days, we have had most delightful weather since we 
came here. Snow fell yesterday to the depth of three inches, and it was a 
very tedious day; but the storm has abated to-day, the sun is out warm, 
the snow is thawing some, and everything without, again wears a summer 
aspect. 

The Eighth have been arranging everything in “ tip-top w order for a per¬ 
manent stay. Their tents all have fire places in them where they do 
their cooking; comfortable bunks have been built in most of the tents, cap¬ 
able of sleeping six ; an additional blanket has been provided for each man; 
so with these luxuries, I may say, we should not complain. The boys have 
been clearing and ditching their streets, and our camp presents quite a city 
appearance. But, now, just as w r e have got fairly and comfortably settled, 
1 presume we will be ordered away—such is life in war. 

We will, I think, go down the river in a short time—as soon as everything 
is in readiness. We did design taking our Christmas dinner in Memphis, 
but will have to postpone it for a while, owing to different arrangements, 
etc. We extend an invitation to all friends of the Union to accompany us. 
When everything is in readiness due notice will be given, so that you can 
have your trunks packed, and have time to borrow a clean shirt, etc. All 
editors, accompanied by their “devils,” may expect a free pass, with the 
freedom of the river—“ No tickets transferable—good for three years! ” 1 
hope we will arrive there before “ April fool’s day.” The Grand Army of 
the West are preparing to start down the river as soon as Price is routed 
from this State, which will be before many days, as he is said to be com¬ 
pletely surrounded and unable to retreat. This is intended to be a mammoth 
enterprise. 

We have glorious news from the Northwest. On the 18th inst., 2,400 re¬ 
bels were captured near Warrensburg, about fifty miles from here, two of 
our troops were killed and eight wounded. 1,000 horses and mules, sixty- 
five wagons, with an immense quantity of supplies, clothing, ammunition, 
etc., three colonels and seventeen captains ivere among the captives. Last 
evening 1,200 of them were brought to St. Louis on a special train, drawn 
by five locomotives. The balance will arrive this evening. St. Louis, wo 
hear, is all excitement, since the arrival of these prisoners. Gen. Price 
gave out notice that he intended to dine in St. Louis on Christmas day. I 
think he will, as his advance guard has already arrived. I presume you 
have heard all the particulars concerning this magnificent capture ere this, 
and I will not worry your patience by a lengthy detail of an old story. I 
believe they are going to put these miserable beings in an old College build¬ 
ing in the city, and try and educate them. 

The rebels have destroyed over one hundred miles of railroad, and 
an immense quantity of other property on the line; this is in North Mis¬ 
souri. Besides these outrages, a train of cars, in which was one of our 
paymasters, was fired upon. The rebels are undoubtedly in need of money, 
but they did not succeed in making as handsome a haul as they probably 
anticipated. A plot to destroy all railroad bridges in Missouri was dis¬ 
covered not long since; and the orders are to shoot down every person 
caught attempting to destroy them, and all persons found prowling around 
have to give a good account of themselves before they can have the freedom 
of passing through this country. No man is allowed to carry fire-arms. 


58 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


unless he is sound on the great question at issue. In the language of Hon. 
John A. Dix: “If any one attempts to pull down the American Flag, shoot 
him on the spot.” The only way to stop these infamous outrages is to shoot 
down the perpetrators. Maj. Gen. Halleck is adopting the right course to 
quell this rebellion. It will not do to trifle with them—they must be driven 
from the land at the point of the bayonet—oaths of allegiance do not trou¬ 
ble traitors; they must be made to “lick the dust,” must be brought to 
terms without any concessions—lead pills are the only remedy that will 
cleanse this scourge from the land. We must fight it out—follow them to 
their own firesides from whence it sprang—hang the leaders and enlighten 
the dupes. We are fighting for a great and glorious cause—for the main¬ 
tenance of right, and for the best Government that ever was framed. What 
man, capable of bearing arms, so weak in mind, so absolutely void of pat¬ 
riotism and loyality to this glorious Union, that he will not join his com¬ 
rades in arms to help put down this rebellion. If there are any who have 
no reasonable excuse, that man is only worthy of the esteem of traitors 
and vagabonds. These long-faced Abolitionists, who I do claim are no better 
than traitors ; ’twas they that provoked this war—they that first sowed the 
seeds of discord. Where are they ? At home by their firesides, praying 
for the immortal nigger, and complaining that the Administration is not do¬ 
ing its duty. They are doing their utmost to make slavery the issue of 
this war. We do not propose to interfere with slavery. If that had been 
proclaimed the issue at the start, there would not to-day be 60,000 men in 
the field. “We believe a white man to be as good as a nigger, if he only 
behaves himself! and a negro, liulas likely as a pretended negro-worship¬ 
per. W r e are fighting those attempting to destroy this Government, which 
was framed by our forefathers, and who fought for seven long years to 
establish it. Winter is upon us, it will soon pass away, and summer will 
come again, and this war may not be ended, but as speedily as consistent, it 
will be quelled, and peace will again be proclaimed throughout the land 
Though many a brave volunteer may fall, and kind friends will mourn their 
loss—fathers and mothers be bereft of their sons, sisters their brothers 
devoted wives their husbands, and aflianced brides their lovers; still in the 
memory of every good and noble breast, there will a fervent prayer be 
offered up for that true patriot who volunteered in defence of his country 
It is so with Wisconsin volunteers. Truer hearts never beat—more patri¬ 
otic bosoms never swelled with the inspiration of right and liberty: they are 
the pride of their country, their State and their commanders. 

I will defer writing further until after Christmas; as I may find some¬ 
thing more to write about. Adieu. 


Christmas Day—25th.—“ Wish you a merry Christmas,” and I’ll take it 
m cigars, if you feel disposed to send them 

Yesterday, at 12 m., the United States Volunteer Inspecting Officer Gen 
liensalaer, arrived from St. Louis, per railroad, and went through a regular 
inspection of the 8th and 11th regiments. They were marched out on the 
parade ground with their guns and equipments in neat order, and their 
bayonets glistening in the sun. The General was highly delighted at the 
appearance of our troops, pronouncing them the best drilled, and the best 
looking set of soldiers he had met with in some time. The boys presented 
a good appearance, notwithstanding the weather was quite cool, and thev 
were somewhat chilled before the inspection was over. It lasted two hours 
after which, the General, with several officers of the 11th and 8th by invi¬ 
tation of Col. Murphy, partook of a sumptuous dinner, after which he re¬ 
turned to St. Louis. 

We are wondering how you are enjoying yourselves to-day in Madison. 
Plenty of sleighing I presume, and the boys are out enjoying it This is a 
luxury that the Southern people don’t have, but I prefer the Southern cli- 


1W0 YRAH8' CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


59 


mate after all. Give me sunshine and summer to the freezing, chilly blasts 
of the North. The summers are delightful in the North, but the winters are 
horrid cold. “Santa Claus” did not visit us last night, but we heard from 
him. He passed down the river this morning, but he could not get in through 
our pickets, so he went on. I hung up my stockings last night over the fire¬ 
place, but found in them nothing but holes ! If you have any old clothes 
iying around your sanctum that will hold together in coming to us. send 
them, and if you have any patriotic old ladies in your part of the country, 
tbr peace sake and the Union, set them to knitting stockings. 

A nice little cake of fresh butter rolled up in a piece of clean white cloth, 
and labeled “A merry Christmas, from the women of Wisconsin,” (butter on 
a rag) found its way into our tent [this noon. It is quite a luxury; though 
simple, it shows that the hearts of the women of Wisconsin are with us. 
May they accept our sincere thanks for these kind remembrances, and while 
fighting against the traitors of our country, our affections for them are strong. 
Long may they live an ornament to society. 

For the special entertainment of the lovers of romance I will add the fol¬ 
lowing sketch for the benefit of my friends : 

A ROMANCE. 

One beautiful evening in the month of December, 1861, when the bright 
full moon was wending her way through the heavens in her nightly wander¬ 
ings, and the little stars were twinkling roguishly at each other, there might 
ha.ve been, seen near Camp Curtis, upon one of the blufTs overlooking the 
Mississippi river, a solitary female, seemingly in deep thought and with a 
shade of melancholy depicted upon her countenance. She was in a sitting 
position, and now and anon, as the moon glided out from beneath a passing 
cloud, I thought I could discern in her features something that betokened 
agony and remorse. I approached nearer to her, and placing myself behind 
a huge oak, ’ncath the spreading branches of which I have of’t in childish 
innocence plotted my school boy capers. I advanced to the side of that old 
oak tree without being discovered, but painful was the suspense while ling¬ 
ering there, for I dare not arouse her for fear she might deem me imperti¬ 
nent and a trespasser upon her solitary enjoyment, therefore I spoke not. 
Now and then I could distinctly hear a groan or a sigh escape her lips, and 
my anxiety for her was aroused to such a pitch, that I came near asking her 
if she was in want of help, but my courage failed, as it always does when 
there is fear of danger ! 

She was beautiful—sepremely beautiful to gaze upon, as she sat there upon 
that moss covered rock alone, beneath the twinkling stars of heaven. She was 
attired in a blue silk dress, which corresponded with the beautiful heavens 
above her, and her plump, well formed neck and arms (for she wore a low 
neck and short sleeve dress) presented such a contrast with all, that the be¬ 
holder might imagine himself in paradise. But, my pen fails, inadequate 
to the task of describing my thoughts as I leaned against that old oak tree, 
gazing upon that lovely creature, for she must have been originally designed 
for a more celestial sphere than this wicked world, which we now inhabit, 
and dear reader, 1 will not blush to state, that while lingering by that old 
tree, I was more than once prompted by some unknown power, to rush for¬ 
ward, and clasp the object of my admiration in my arms. But the spell was 
broken. She gazed upon the beautiful moon and twinkling stars—a sigh 
escaped her lips—I heard the rustling of her silks and all vanished save-. 

Well, reader, I was prompted to the spot where but a moment before sat 
our sweet Desdemonia. My curiosity was excited, and I rushed forward to 
the rock upon which she had been sitting so long with the hope of finding 
something she may have left behind, in her sudden flight—some memento— 


60 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OP. 


perhaps a beautiful garland she may have been weaving, and left behind for 
some truant lover who chanced to be strolling by, and what think you I 
found? Nothing. But, in the distance, soft and mellow, sweet music fell 
upon my ears. I gazed aloft, and, to my utter astonishment, discovered, 
perched upon a bluff above me, the object of my admiration She leaped 
from her hiding place—rushed toward me with arms extended, crying 
out at the top of her voice, “ Hurrah for Jefferson Davis.’' I had made no 
calculation for “masked batteries.” 1 took from my pocket a white handker¬ 
chief, (a borrowed one.) raised the flag of truce, and advanced. She came, 
but too late—your humble correspondent found that he had surrendered 
his arms to a secession “gal,” and the blackest nigger wench that ever mad© 
a hoecake. 

Two companies—company C, Eighth Regiment, and company F, Eleventh 
Regiment, left at 10 o’clock last night for Big River Bridge, on Iron.Moun¬ 
tain Railroad, we having received notice that the rebels had commenced an at¬ 
tack. All excitement. At 1 o’clock last night, every man of the Eighth and 
Eleventh regiments was ordered to form in line of battle, as the pickets had 
been fired on near here. The bugle sounded, and in less than ten minutes 
every man was ready with his musket and ammunition. A messenger was sent 
out to ascertain the cause and result of the firing. He returned, and to our sur¬ 
prise, (but not disappointment,) reported that the picket had only shot a 
horse! The boys were ordered'to “turn in, as the horse was dead!” In 
the hurry and bustle of the moment, one of the tents belonging to the 
Eleventh took fire and was entirely consumed. At 3 o’clock this morning, 
soon after the first alarm, one of the Eleventh pickets shot one of their o\vu 
men through the back. He is still alive, but Colonel Harris tells me he can¬ 
not live. His name is Robert Tollard, of Captain Helton’s company, from 
Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. It seems the wounded man was walking around 
near the picket, and not answering when he was halted, the picket guard 
shot him. We are truly unfortunate. A railroad man, (name unknown ) 
while coupling cars as our two companies were getting aboard the cars last 
night, got mangled up dreadfully. No more, I hope,'of this kind of news. 
Major Jefferson has just been appointed Inspecting Officer of all troop* 
guarding bridges south of Merrimac river. 


Camp Curtis, Sulphur Springs, Mo., 
January 8th, 1862. 

Alas, the lonely hour of midnight is fast approaching—the quacking of 
the ducks in the “ Grand Glaize Creek is heard no more ”—the poily-frogs 
musical croaking has ceased for a while, and everything is lulled into a quiet 
sleep for the night. A soldier boy’s couch awaits my coming, and here I am 
at this late hour scribbling away, with nothing to disturb the equanimity of 
my feelings, save the echo of some one snoring at my elbow. Oh what 
sweet music; it falls upon my ear like distant thunder! ’Tis Zekial, our 
musical genius, whom we have persuaded to join our mess. We are all lover* 
of music, and Zeik is a host in himself. Pianos, hand-organs, or bag-pipes 
are nothing compared with Zekial’s charming voice, when he gets his nose in 
a good snoring tune, and besides this, no prowling rebel dare venture within 
the lines when he hears Zekial. Zekial, brave Zekial! is truly a musical 
genius, and for the services he has rendered us in keepingaway all intruders 
from ouf mess of nights, we have given him the honorary title of “Regi¬ 
mental Snorer !” Zekial can endure more rest iban any man in the regi¬ 
ment. Long may our musical friend Zekial live, and when he shall propose 
to give up this earthly habitation, may his illustrious name, with a photo- 



TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


i> 1 


graphic likeness, occupy a conspicuous place in some comic almanac, after 
this rebellion is over. 

But I will drive on. 1 believe I wrote you in my last that we antici¬ 
pated a forward movement. We received orders some time ago to hold 
ourselves in readiness to march, but as yet, our anticipations have not 
been realized, are still in Camp Curtis, with a strong prospect of hav¬ 
ing to remain here through the winter. It does seem strange that this 
giand army of the North should be lying dormant while our enemies are 
devastating our once prosperous and flourishing country. Seceding and 
superseding seems to be all the rage. The boys are anxious to march, they 
are becoming tired of quiet camp life, having nothing to excite or amuse 
them here. They want to keep the ball in motion We will probably soon 
receive something more definite regarding our prospect.. The weather is 
becoming quite wintry, and I think we will not have much more pleasant 
weather lor some time to come. It has been storming for some days, with 
cold sleet rain, which has made it very disagreable walking. The mud and 
clay is “awful ”—it has a strong attachment to one’s feet. Free soil is the 
rage, and a man may pre-empt a respectably sized farm and carry it off on 
his boots. Our American Eagle still lives—he occupies a prominent position 
in camp, perched upon a pole overlooking the regiment, with his proud 
spreading wings raised to the breeze, and with his bold searching eye he 
scans his subjects o’er. He seems to take a great interest in all that is go¬ 
ing on, and he Las no fears of being superseded in his command. On the 
marches he stands it well: his principal diet is chicken and beef. Major 
Cheeney is here paying off the Wisconsin troops, and is the most popular 
man in these parts. There was about $100,000 paid to the II th and Eighth 
Regiments, and I presume at least half that amount will be sent back homo 
by the soldiers This shows well for the boys of Wisconsin ; they remem¬ 
ber their friends by remitting means for their comfort, instead of foolishly 
squandering it away. 

I noticed, not long since a letter in the Daily Wisconsin, which breathed 
most too imposing and too insulting language towards some of the officers 
of the Eighth, to be passed by without some comment. The author was in¬ 
tently laboring under a fit of spiritual derangement of brain at the time of 
writing said letter. I do not hesitate to pronounce his allusions utterly false 
and ill-founded. It must have been a great relief to the gentleman, after he 
had given vent to his spleen. No man, since Adam’s reign (and Adam never 
read a newspaper) ever penned so able a document. From the tone and 
sentiment of which I should presume the author was educated for a more 
elevated position than the one he now occupies. As a historian he far excels 
Macauley or Lamartine f as a poet, Shakspeare, Byron or Scott, are no where, 
and as a novelist, he surpasses Cobb, and drives Dean Swift and his Lilli¬ 
putians to the shades. It would be far more judicious for him to weigh his 
words and rations .' with more accuracy before attempting another such let¬ 
ter, which, from its sentiment, must have emanated from a very weak brain. 
When men, who claim the title of gentlemen, seek through the columns of a 
public journal to feast their greedy brains by hurling down upon the 
heads of their superiors such false and such bitter execrations, they are not 
worthy of the smallest position, or the respect of gentlemen. If they were 
possessed of one single attribute of the man, or were endowed by their Crea¬ 
tor with the slightest amount of discretion or sound sense, they would not 
be quite so personal in their allusions to their superior officers. There is no 
reason, nor has there ever been any any cause for writing the article referred 
to in said paper. 

The commanding officer of th : s post has taken great care, when ma¬ 
king his appointments f o select men from the 11th regiment, as well as from 
the 8th, and has to-day as many companies of his own guarding bridges as 


62 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OB 


there are from the 11th—he has always spoken in high terms of the 11th 
regiment and appreciates their equality with that of our own. There has 
been no ill feeling whatever, (as the article refers to,) but the utmost har¬ 
mony prevails under Col Murphy’s command. This is all I propose to state 
about the matter, what is here already written is done to correct these false 
statements and in vindication of our superior officers. 

A civil tongue and a guarded pen will always.insure a man happiness and 
prosperity. 

We have come from one State to flight the battles of our country. Let us 
be united, and when this campaign is over, and when the emblem of our 
country, our own proud flag, shall float triumphant over this whole conti¬ 
nent, then we can return to our own firesides and share the laurels we have 
won. 

There are over one hundred thousand men in arms in this district. Thirty 
thousand troops were reviewed at Benton Barracks last week. Now our 
troops are paid off, the officers ar§, after furloughs to visit St Louis, only 
one officer, however, is allowed to leave at a time. We have been expecting 
new uniforms, but they have not yet arrived. What style we are to have is 
yet undecided. 1 hope the French. They are a blue with black hat and 
feather. We are much in need of pants, and our grays are beginning to 
look rather worse for wear. 


The 11th boys look well in their blue uniforms, they make a grand appear¬ 
ance when on parade, and the inspiring music of their band, with Charley 
at its head, enlivens the scene and makes a soldier’s heart beat with pure 
devotion for the glorious old stars and stripes. Several companies of the 

11th and 8th are stationed on Iron Mountain Railroad guarding bridges_ 

there are about seven hundred between here and Pilot Knob. Many in Jeff 
Thompson’s army are returning, getting tired of the chase, and we hear that 
at Big River Bridge and Victoria, our men are capturing “secesh,” and for¬ 
warding them on to the Knob for safe keeping. Several have come into our 
camp and taken the oath of allegiance! A young man by the name of 
Gamble, who was in Fredericktown battle under Thompson, and was at the 
burning of Big River Bridge, called to-day at headquarters for a pass to go 
through our lines, and one was issued him, he having taken the oath some 
time since. 

In ,f^ regiment is one Sanders, of company A, whom the boys call “In¬ 
fant. He is six feet eight and a quarter inches in height, is nineteen years old, 
and weighs 180 pounds. He is ihe tallest man in the regiment. The oldest 
man is sixty-five years of age, a private in company C, and a blacksmith bv 
trade, name not known The youngest in the regiment is sixteen years of 
age. The average height of our men is five feet and ten inches, and the 
average age twenty-two years. 


What has become of the 12th regiment—Col. Bryant and his bear ? We 
hear that they have a bear in their regiment. If they are to be the (bare! 
bear regiment, they had better go to a warmer climate than Kansas. We 
thought they were already uniformed. Perhaps they have the “undress uni¬ 
form. there is an eagle and a bear regiment in the field, now I would 
suggest the propriety of some regiment taking along a Badger . the motto of 
our own State. 

I have several secession relies that I would send you if I had an oppor- 
tnmty. J hey are accumulating so rapidly that I must send them off as 
they may be confiscated by the rebels. They are as follows : (not all enu¬ 
merated m this document.) ' 

No. 1. A door-pistol, a very ingenious contrivance for keeping burglars 

y°“ r *’ 00m ; tins was found in a rebel’s pocket at the battle 

of Fredericktown. 


TWO YEARS' CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


63 


No. 2. A bullet, cut out of a tree at Big river, the same having killed a 
rebel the day before, during a skirmish at that place. 

No. 8. A portion ot Pilot Knob—a combination of iron and loadstone 

No. 4. A box of glass cotton, found in a furnace at the Knob, and a vast 
quantity of shells, stones and conglomerations. 

Also one of the shoes taken off the horse that was shot by a picket not 
long since—a piece of bark from the mad dog that was reported seen in 
camp yesterday—a lock of hair from the head of Mrs.-sippi, also a tooth 
from her mouth, and a f.ather from the bed of Grand Glaize Creek. 

“ feandy, our incomparable Sutler, is a “tip top ” fellow, and knows how 
to keep a “grocery.” He keeps on hand everything needful for the exterior 
and interior of mankind, is a strict business man, and lias the faculty of 
pleasing his numerous patrons. We trust he may reap a good harvest while 
in the service. “ Sandy ” is just the man for the place. More anon. 

P. S —January 12.—We have received marching orders. This letter has 
been kept over for several days that I might know our destination. We are 
bound for Cairo to-morrow. The 11th remain here at Camp Curtis. Gray 
pants have been furnished to those most in need, and blue caps to the whole 
regiment. 

We dread to part with the 11th, and especially our jovial friend Lieut. 
Freeman, our Provost Marshal. He has filled said office with honor both to 
himself and the regiments. We hope to see his face among us before long. 

You may expect to hear from me as soon as we arrive in “Dixie.” 


Camp Cairo, Cairo, III., 
January 20th, 1862. 

The Eighth Regiment left Camp Curtis for Cairo, via St. Louis by railroad, 
on the 16th inst., at 9 o’clock a. m., arriving here at 9 o’clock in the evening of 
the following day. We expected to have left several days sooner than we did, 
and were intending to go. down the river in a steamer. The Continental was 
chartered at St. Louis to convey the 8th Wisconsin and the 7th Iowa down 
to this place. She started from St. Louis, but got frozen in the ice and had 
to be abandoned. Cars were telegraphed for and after waiting several days 
m suspense they came, and off we started for the land of “Dixie,” leaving 
the llth regiment (or a fractional part) at Camp Curtis, expressing many 
“regrets at their wearisome stay.” We felt sorry for them, but could only 
extend our heartfelt sympathy at their deplorable situation. They are scat¬ 
tered up and down the Iron Mountain railroad, guarding bridges and will 
probably remain on that branch of duty for some time—we wish they were 
with us to-day. 

But now I will give a description of our journey to Cairo. The day we left 
Camp Curtis was cold and blustering, the wind blew a perfect hurricane. 
There were not cars enough, or the railroad manager was so wretched mean 
that he would not provide them, so the boys had to be packed like sheep into 
open cars, without fires or comfort for four hours, as we were that length cf 
time going to St. Louis, arriving in the city at 1 p. m, where we remained 
only long enough to convey our baggage across the river which was done by 
steamers. At 10 o’clock p. m., we embarked aboard the cars, on the Terre 
Haute and Alton railroad, and started for Dixie. Some of the boys were left 
behind in St. Louis, but they reached us by the next train. Forty cars were 
attached to our train with two loeomotives at each end. All night we con¬ 
tinued on our journey, and in the morning the sun shone out warm and 
pleasant, and the wide spreading prairies, dotted o’er with civilization, cast 



64 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


a feeling of buoyancy over our spirits and made us feel that we were once 
more in our own country. There is indeed, a striking contrast between the 
level prairies of Illinois, and the rough, bluffy region of Missouri. All the 
way on our journey, and every village we passed, the people were out to 
greet us with their smiles, and a “God speed you on your journey.” At 
Oentralia the people and especially the ladies were exceedingly enthusi¬ 
astic—flags, banners, handkerchiefs tvere waving and every one alive with 
joy. At Pana, the cars halted long enough to give time to breakfast, which we 
relished right well after riding all night. Here the train switched off on to 
the Illinois Central railroad, and the train was divided, Lieut. Col. Robbins 
taking command of the right wing in the advance. 

We lost all sight of the Illinois prairies about fifty miles out from this 
place and then we began to decend into the low lands of Southern Illinois, 
where the country is heavily timbered, with marshes and swamps on every 
side, arriving at Cairo at 9 o’clock in the evening, Friday 17th. The rain 
was pouring down in torrents and the mud knee deep, every where heavy 
fogs enveloped the shores of the Ohio, and the stench of fever and ague 
floated all around us. Sick at heart, tired, and laboring under a violent 
cough, I made up my mind that my time had nearly come, and did believe, 
that to die would be a relief. A wise idea struck some one and we were 
permitted to remain in the cars till morning rather than go into worse quar¬ 
ters. (The train under Lieut. Col. Robbins came near meeting with a smash 
up—three cars ran off the track, but luckily, no one was injured.) Saturday 
morning the cars, with their sleepy occupants, moved down into the heart of 
the city and we disembarked, formed into line, and marched half a mile 
through the mud and clay to our quarters—Camp Cairo Barracks, situated 
in a slough running along back of town. These barracks were vacated a 
few days ago by troops that have gone down the river. If I possessed the 
ability to describe the miserable condition of our present locality I would do 
so, but nothing in “ Webster’s Unabridged” furnishes adequate language 
to describe the scene I have witnessed hog-pens in Wisconsin that are 
palaces compared with our situation here in Cairo. 1 know not who is to 
blame for this, unless the country provides nothing better. I saw one man 
yesterday stuck fast in the mud, not two rods from our headquarters, and 
he had to call for help before he could be extricated from his unenvious and 
ludicrous position. In fact, the Eighth have not been encamped in so mis¬ 
erable a place since they came into the service, and I only trust for the health 
of the regiment, we may soon be removed to a better locality. It is yet un¬ 
decided whether we remain here inactive all winter or not—one thing certain, 
we will not be allowed to go into active service until we are dressed in the 
regulation uniform. Our present gray uniform is the same as the rebels wear, 
and it would be injudicious to start without our new dress. The principal 
feature of attraction in town is the St. Charles Hotel, which is a great resort 
for military officers, etc. The town is overrun with soldiers. Young Naval 
Cadets are flourishing around town in their gay uniforms. The river is alive 
with steamers and gunboats, and the latter are a formidable defence against 
secession pills. 

We have a birds eye view of Birds Point, which lies just across the Mis¬ 
sissippi river in Mo., we can plainly see the cannon planted around for its 
defence. Down the Ohio river, on the Kentucky shore, about two miles dis- 
tant is Fort Holt. At present there are about one thousand troops at each 
of these points and nearly four thousand at Camp Cairo, mostly Illinois and 
Iowa troops. Old Fort Jefferson, has a history which is not without interest. 
It is located about six miles below Cairo, on the Kentucky shore, opposite or 
nearly opposite Island No. 1. The fort was erected by George Rogers Clark 
m the year 1771, under the direction of Thomas Jefferson, then Governor of 
Virginia, in view of an anticipated attempt by the Spaniards to occupy and 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 65 

ea8 i 0f the Mississippi river. It was the scene of an 
successful attempt on the part ot the Choctaws and Chickasaws to cut oil 

f*nr e £ r n 1SOn ^a™ 7 the V °? U Fort Jeffei>son remained abandoned 

or many years, and is now a shapeless and undefinable mass, but will ever 
remain an object of interest. 

Our soldiers now in a campaign against rebels, pitch their camp upon the 

by a batt ! e ei « h, y That was between the 

lit soldiers of the revolutionary time anil the savage hordes who were 
predecessors of the secession barbarism of this day. 

6 ar fu at P resent but few troops stationed at this point, they have been 

Vl? nver ', Ge S' Grant 18 in comraand of all the land forces in this 
district, and Commodore Foot commands the Flotilla. An expedition of about 
7,000 troops, under Gen. Grant, went down the river towards Columbus a 
lew days ago, but they are returning—most of them have been ordered back 
This was only intended as a feigned attack on Columbus in order to keep the 
rebels at that point from reinforcing Zollicoffer, while Gen. Buell was marcino- 
on Bowling Green. This proved a good move, as Buell’s army have whirled 
the rebels taken possession of Bowling Green-captured many prisoners 
and killed the rebel general Zollicoffer, and pearly 300 of hi$ men. Onlv 
about fifty of ours were killed and wounded. ‘ I can not give you the par¬ 
ticulars of this glorious victory, but 1 presume ere this, the telegraph has 
given you the news, therefore, I will wait until I am fully informed before 1 
give you more about it. It is evident that the rebels are strongly fortified 
at Columbus and at Memphis, and when these points are lost to them which 
will surely come to pass before long, they may as well throw up their hand, 
for they will have lost the game. 

We had the pleasure yesterday of “getting a look” at old Col. Bird, (not 
our old friend in Madison,) proprietor of Bird’s Point—he has been arrested, 
together with his wife and two daughters, and are now in custody and 
boards, at the St. Charles! This same old Bird has once taken the oath of 
allegiance, but has since offered Jeff. Thompson one hundred thousand dol¬ 
lars to capture the Union forces at Bird’s Point. But they have him and 
his wdiole family—taken his niggers, and set them to working for “Uncle 
bam. The old Bird is having good living at a fashionable hotel, where thev 
only charge $4 00 a day ! How absurd ! Several of the lower class seces¬ 
sionists here in the guard house are fed not so well, and have to work their 
way. 

Is it not strange, and yet how common—if a man steals twenty-five cents, 
or commits some penal offence, it is called rascality ! and yet the perpetrator 
is houned by every one, but if a man steals a million dollars or commits some 
enormous offence, when it requires shrewdness to accomplish it is then 
termed financiering! and his acts will be legalized by Congress! and the per¬ 
petrator’s name will be immortalized upon the pages of history. 

They are making a move to have the Eighth Regiment transferred to the 
gunboats—there is a scarcity of marines, but I do not believe it would suit 
all around. The Madisonians are all well. You may expect to hear from 
me again in a few days. 


5 


66 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OK . 


FLAG OF TRUCE. 

Camp Cairo, Cairo, Illinois, Feb. 4th, 1862. 

This afternoon a Hag of truce from Columbus came up the river on the 
steamer ‘‘Charm,” commanded by Major Williamson, Adjutant General to 
Major General Polk, commanding the Western Department of the Confede¬ 
rate States of America, accompanied by Col. Gibson, of a Louisiana regi¬ 
ment, and Captain Williams, Chief of Artillery, (formerly on Gen. Scott’s 
staff,) besides two other officers of less note, also, two citizens of New Or¬ 
leans—Mr. Gibson, father of the Colonel, (who has six sons in the Con¬ 
federate army, and a Mr. Norton. The flag made its appearance about three 
o’clock this afternoon, and was brought to anchor five miles below here by 
a gun from Fort Holt. A steamer was immediately fired up, and conveyed 
Gen. Paine, commanding this post, Col. Beaufort, of 27th Illinois, and Col 
Murphy, of the Eighth Wisconsin, down the river to receive them. In a few 
moments the boats were lashed together, when Major Williamson made 
known the object of the flag of truce to be the exchange of prisoners taken 
by Jeff. Thompson, at Big River Bridge, being Captain Elliot and a portion 
of his company, and the 33d Illinois. 

Nearly two hours were consumed in the preparatory papers, during which, 
great courtesy was manifested, often expressing a desire to be sociable and 
neighborly with us, but protesting vehemently against any political unity. 
Messrs. Gibson and Norton talked very freely, and they asserted that there 
was no division of sentiment in the South! This, of course, was all gam¬ 
mon. The ostensible object of this flag was to exchange prisoners, but the 
real object was, undoubtedly, to ascertain where the late expedition had 
gone. By this time they are undoubtedly informed. 

These officers were uniformed in gray—they wear no shoulder straps—the 
Colonel’s having three stars attached to the collar. From the appearance of 
the boat, one would judge that they were not in any way particular. There 
was but one pen and a few sheets of paper to be found on the boat. The 
cabin was destitute of furniture, and everything had a rusty and dilapidated 
appearance. They appear to be well informed in matters at the North, 
and they take the St. Louis and New York Dailies. 

After going through all the preliminaries usual on such occasions, we bade 
them adieu, and returned about five o’clock in the evening. 


Cairo, III., Feb. 6th, 1862. 

Rainy Weather—Our Camp—Sudden Death—No Dress Parade — Gen. Grant's 
Expedition—Flag of Truce— 11 Live Eagle Regiment ”—“ Otis”—Sword Pre¬ 
sentation—Remarks of Lieut. Col. Robbins, and Response of Col. Murphy. 

The damp muggy weather of to-day is enough to chill the life-blood of any 
mortal man and send a thrill of horror to his very heart. If a person is ever 
troubled with the “blue devils,” I think such a day as this will produce 
them, and all the surgeon’s prescriptions in the world will fail to give the 
desired relief. When I gaze out upon the landscape below it sickens me, 
and I turn my eyes from the loathsome scene and wonder why we are com¬ 
pelled to endure all this. I am confident that if the 8th Regiment remain 
much longer in this detestible locality, there will not be many able to per¬ 
form duty. Sickness in this camp prevails to an alarming extent. Up to 
the present writing, since arriving here, over forty of our men have taken 
sick, and five have died And no wonder that many are sick, for the very 
water we drink—from the Mississippi—is actually alive with the carcasses 



; i'WO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


67 


°f dead mules and horses that have floated from off the shore since the rising 
of the river, and the stench arising therefrom is sickening in the extreme. 
One man mimed Allen, in company “H,” died suddenly a few nights ago— 
he had been complaining the day previous with a slight cold—he slept in the 
barracks with his brother, and when they went to awake him in the morn- 
mg, found that he was dead. We left about forty sick in the hospital at. 
Camp Cuitis, but we learn that most of them are fast recovering, and will 
soon lie able to rejoin the regiment. 

It is impossible to have dress parade or battalion drill—the rains of the 
past few days have so moistened the ground as to prevent one’s getting ten 
rods from the barraeks, so we will have to content ourselves with remaining 
in doors until Providence favors us with better weather. 

There are only three regiments here at present; the three military posts, 
Cairo, Bird’s Point and Fort Holt, are nearly deserted, only a small number 
of troops are left to take care of matters, the main force having gone off. 
Twenty-five thousand troops, under Gen. Grant, started from here last Sun¬ 
day, the 2d inst., bound up the river. Saturday night, and all day Sunday, 
the troops were preparing to move. Everything at the levee was jam and 
bustle, and it was a sight to behold. Eleven first class steamers were loaded 
down to the water’s edge with troops, cavalry horses, artillery and trans¬ 
portation. Seven gunboats accompanied the fleet. Sunday night, at 8 
o’clock, this mammoth fleet pushed off into the river and was about start¬ 
ing, when a small steamer, with a flag of truce from Columbus, was discov¬ 
ered coming around the bend of the river about four miles below here. A 
gun from Fort Holt compelled her to stop. Gen. Grant immediately went 
down on a steamer to ascertain their business. He did not return till quite 
late in the evening, and our troops were detained for some time. We did not 
learn the mission of the Hag of truce. I am told that whenever an expedi¬ 
tion, or a move of troops is to be made from this place, the rebels never fail 
to come up with a flag of truce. (This shows that they are well advised in 
our matters.) This is probably to delay us, to ascertain the strength of 
our forces, and make observations. 1 have since learned that their mis¬ 
sion was to procure medicine for the Union prisoners at Columbus, but this, 
evidently, was only a ruse to obtain an opportunity of making some discov¬ 
eries advantageous to themselves. But a flag of truce is always considered 
sacred, and must never be violated. No doubt the rebels at Columbus are 
beginning to feel somewhat uneasy. I think in a few days you will hear of 
another glorious victory. The destination of the expedition is not yet fully 
known, but I am informed by good and reliable authority, that it is going 
up the river to Smithland, at the mouth of the Cumberland—this is public¬ 
ly known—while the main secret and object of it is to make an attack on 

Fort Henry, where there are about-rebels—shell them out, and then 

to intercept Beauregard, if possible, who is now on his way to Columbus 
with 25, 000 men. We will hear from them before many days. 

In my last, I wrote that our forces were in possession of Bowling Green, 
which mistake you must have discovered before its publication. Our opporl 
tunities for gaining reliable news are very limited, and hence this gross ex¬ 
aggeration. Such, however, was the report here when I mailed my letter, 
and I was so highly elated over the victory that I did not stop to learn all 
the facts. It was, notwithstanding, a glorious victory for us—the battle of 
Mill Spring—and the rebels, in losing this battle, and their leader, Zollikof- 
fer, have lessened their strength and ardor, greatly. I think that if the 
Eighth Regiment were to participate in a battle, they would make their 

mark. Old Wisconsin need have no fears of her sons dishonoring her._ 

Our service, though short, has been marked with unusual severity. We 
have been on long, tedious marches, over a rough, unbroken region of coun¬ 
try, where guerrilla bands infested our camp, but who dared not face us in 



68 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


an open Held battle. True, we have achieved no brilliant feats of heroism, 
but not because the Wisconsin Eighth fail to produce the bravery and skill 
that is wanting—not that our noble leader is deficient in ability as a com¬ 
mander—but that an opportunity has not yet presented itself for the boys 
of the Eighth to show their hand It has been no fault of ours. We have 
gone where duty called us. We have endured the heat of summer, and the 
cold and chilling blasts of winter—slept out upon the ground, when the rain 
was pouring down in torrents, and still slept on, expecting every moment 
that an attack would be made upon us. But no 1—these treacherous bands 
dare not venture it, and I am surprised that they should be possessed of 
such superior foresight as not to attempt an attack. I will say one thing, how¬ 
ever—some of their leaders are shrewd, active men, and look well before 
they leap. They are not going to hazard their lives unless they feel sure of 
success. But we hope to retain for the Eighth the honorable reputation it; 
now enjoys. The “Live Eagle Regiment” will never shrink from duty 
while her gallant officers lead her on to deeds of valor. We have abandoned 
the comforts of home, and gone out at our country’s call, for the perils and 
privations of war; not that we love turmoil, and scenes of blood, but that 
we may assist in putting down the traitors of our country. 

Our genial friend “ Otis,” of the 11th, is still alive and able to drive the 
quill. In his last communication to the Journal we see that he is still rail¬ 
ing about those “rails” that were accidentally (?) burned up just before 
the Eighth left the Springs. We regret exceedingly, that such an occur¬ 
rence should have taken place, and in “disobedience of General Orders.’ 
General Orders is dead!—he froze to death because the 11th regiment burn¬ 
ed up all the wood! I wonder* “ Otis,” if O’Fallon’s beef contract has yet 
run out ? 

There is a theatre near our camp, and the Badger boys are enjoying them¬ 
selves in this luxury Every evening the theatre is thronged to overflowing. 
They propose to “make hay while the sun shines.” 

Yesterday afternoon, Col Murphy was the honored recipient of an elegant 
sword, with sash and belt, presented by Lieut. Col. Robbins, in behalf of 
the officers of the Eighth Regiment, with an appropriate speech, which was 
responded to by Col. Murphy, in the remarks found below. At 2 o’clock the 
regiment was formed in a solid square, before headquarters, the colors 
brought forward, and the officers advanced in a line to the front, the band 
playing “Hail to the Chief.” Col. Murphy came out on the platform and af¬ 
ter the usual salutations, Lieut. Col. Robbins spoke as follows: 

“Col Murphy: —In behalf of the officers of your command,! have the 
honor of presenting you with this sword, sash and belt. The intrinsic val¬ 
ue of the present is of no importance, except as. it serves to express the res^ 
pect and confidence which we feel due to you as our commander. The only 
request we have to make is, that it shall not be laid up as a keepsake until 
it shall have won laurels in the hands of its possessor. Then may it hang in 
peace upon the walls of time, a memento to the memory and honor of our 
Colonel, and the Wisconsin Eighth, forever.” 

Col. Murphy then immediately responded, in the following brief and elo¬ 
quent words : 

“ Lt. Col. Robbins, Officers and soldiers of the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment :— 
It would be impossible for me to express the sentiments and emotions which 
swell up from my heart for utterance on this occasion. I shall not attempt 
it. But, gentlemen, as you are all aware, it is more pleasant to hear oneself 
well spoken of than otherwise; it is more agreeable to be commended than 
censured, and most peculiarly does such commendation become acceptable 
when accompanied by so substantial a testimonial as this beautiful sword. 

How peculiar is this our volunteer system. How different it is from that 
of the regular army. In the former, we come from all ranks and conditions 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST 


69 


ol life, we blend our energies, with one will and one heart to the same end. 
m the other, the officer is educated at the expense of state, in marbled halls 
and has assigned to him for duty, men from all parts, with tastes, education 
and aspirations as dissimilar to his, as far removed from his as one pole is 
from the other. Of the two systems, on which think you free government 
can most surely rely ?—The volunteer of course. If I have merited com¬ 
mendation at your hands as your commanding officer, it is because I have 
received hearty and valuable co-operation from you, and you, also, are in 
turn indebted to your subordinate officers and to your men for the efficiency 
and soldierlike conduct of your respective companies. This grand volun¬ 
teer army is only, then, the reflex, in a military point of view, of our civil 
form of Government, which, although it has its Chief xMagistrate and inferi¬ 
or officers, is yet dependent solely for its efficiency and well being on the peo¬ 
ple who constitute the government. 

It is difficult, I know, to draw the delicate line of demarkation between 
the official and the citizen, not forfeiting the one while maintaining the oth¬ 
er. It has been my endeavor to draw this line lightly. Most congenial it 
would be to me to throw down these barriers which good discipline and our 
safety absolutely require, and I hope the day is not far distant when we can 
return to our peaceful homes and there, over the often fought field, renew 
our friendships unrestrained by the laws of war, or the army regulations. 

With these sentiments, gentlemen, I accept this testimonial of your appro¬ 
bation. It shall serve, hereafter, as a link in memory between me and you. 
I shall leave it to my children as a monument of the esteem which existed 
between their father and his brother officers of the Eighth Regiment Wis¬ 
consin Volunteers.” 

After the close of the Colonel’s remarks, three rousing cheers were given 
tor him three for Lieut. Col. Robbins—three for the Major, and three more 
for our “Live Eagle Regiment.” 


THE CAPTURE OF FORT HENRY. 

Cairo, Illinois, February 8th, 1862. 

Since writing my letter of yesterday, I have some more news to commu¬ 
nicate, though I presume, before this reaches you, you will have seen an ac¬ 
count of the victory. The expedition that went up the river last Sunday, 
made an attack on Fort Henry, Thursday, 6th inst., at 12 o’clock, noon, 
and after a severe fight of one hour and ten minutes, totally routed the ene¬ 
my, and the Union colors were run up over the fort. The rebels fled from 
the scene in wild confusion, leaving behind everything but the arms they 
carried with them. The credit of this victory is wholly due the artillery of 
the gun boats, which made sad havoc in the rebel stronghold. The first fire 
from the “Essex,” cut away their flag, and then there was a scene of terror 
in the Fort. Our guns kept up an incessant firing and the rebels return¬ 
ed the compliment with ten fold fury. 

They made some excellent shots, one ball going through the gunboat Es¬ 
sex near the waters edge, and another passing through her boiler, thereby 
disabling her, and many on board of her were scalded to death by the hot 
steam that rushed out over the boat. One man, who was badly scalded, 
after being conveyed to the cabin, and was about expiring, leaped from 
his couch, rushed to the deck, saying that he could never give up the ship 
until our own proud flag floated over the fort. As he came on deck he saw 
them running up the Union colors, he then exclaimed that he was now ready 
to die, returned to the cabin and expired in three minutes. The gunboat 



70 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


Cincinnati had several balls shot into her—and the Pilot was found dead 
hanging to the wheel. The scene was terrible , many intheir delirium jump¬ 
ing overboard into the river. 

The rebel loss in killed is not accurately known ; it is variously estimated 
at from sixty to one hundred: ours, nine or ten. Our infantry, it seems, 
did not participate—if they had followed them up, they could have bagged 
them all. There is a blunder somewhere, and when the facts shall have 
been fully developed, some one will be severely censured. But our forces 
are after the enemy, in hot pursuit, and may capture them. They have fled 
to Fort Donaldson, and our troops must be close on their track by this time, 
and they may be fighting now. 

The gunboats have returned from the scene of battle, and look rather 
worse for hard usage. The “Cincinnati' 5 brought down the dead and wound¬ 
ed and quite a number of prisoners She came in with an elegant secesh 
flag floating from her mast under our colors; it was captured at the fort.— 
Among the prisoners are Brig. Gen. Lloyd Tilghman, and his staff. Tilgh- 
man is a graduate of West Point, and a man of great influence among the 
rebels. 

These boats now lying at the levee, are objects of great attraction and 
thousands have already visited them—every one is alive with curiosity about 
the battle. 1 have seen the secession flag—it is a handsome one, and at¬ 
tracts a great deal of attention. Several of the cannon balls that were found 
in the gunboats are objects, also, of wonder at the power of penetration 
they possess. Mortars of vast dimensions have arrived and will soon speak 
for themselves! in this great struggle, therefore I will not attempt to de¬ 
scribe them at this time. 

Gen. Halleck is expected here hourly, and before this reaches you there 
will be one very grand movement towards “secesherdom." 


Cairo, III., Feb. 17th, 1862. 

The glorious news has just reached us, that Fort Donelson, after the most 
desperate and bloody battle ever fought on this continent, surrendered with 
15,000 rebel troops, yesterday morning at 9 o’clock. The cannon are boom¬ 
ing the welcome intelligence over the land; every one is frantic with joy over 
the glorious news, and the enthusiasm is great. People are running through 
the streets of Cairo, eager to grasp the reports as they come in. A steamer 
has just arrived from the scene—a messenger is despatched to headquarters, 
his face beaming with joy and satisfaction. I followed him, and soon the 

news is thrown out to the anxious listeners—“Fort Donelson is ours_15,000 

rebel troops have been captured, and the stars and stripes are proudly wav¬ 
ing over the fort. The telegraph is conveying the glorious news to the 
Northland you will hear of it before you have finished dining. It is a dearly 
won victory, for many a brave man has perished here in support of his 
country. Up to the present time 300 of our gallant sons are reported killed 
and wounded; tlie dead, it is thought, will number fully five hundred, and 
the rebel loss is believed to be as great, or greater. Among the officers re¬ 
ported killed are Col. Morrison of the 49th Ill., Col. Lawler, 18th Ill Col 
Logan, 28th Ill., Lieut. Col. Thomas H. Smith, 48th Ill., Col. Oglesby and many 
more distinguished men. 

Generals Beauregard, Pillow, Floyd, Bell and Buckner arc reported as hav¬ 
ing been in the Fort during the battle, and that Pillow, Bell and Buckner are 
among the captives. It is reported that Beauregard and Flovd escaped with 
5,000 men across the river. 



TWO YKAKS’ CAMPAIGNING IN TUB SOUTHWEST'. 


71 


Commodore Foote is among the wounded—not seriously. 

hort Donelson was reintorced by troops from Bowling Green, and Gen. 
Bu«l is now in possession of that important point. 

This is news enough for one we’ek, now we must keep the ball in motion, 
and the traitors will begin to feel that we are not so easily conquered. 
When the news came that Fort Henry was captured our Chaplain came rush- 
mg into headquarters all joy and animation, over the victoiy—giving three 
rousing cheers in which all joined him, he then exclaimed that this news 
was glorious! that “it made him feel better than would a revival of religion!" 
This of course brought down the house. 

Thursday, 13th inst., Col. Murphy with 400 men was ordered to move up 
the river to Paducah, on the steamer Hannibal , to accompany Gen. Paine. 
They did not leave till Friday morning, owing to the severity of the weather, 
as it was a tedious day. Their mission was to bring down the prisoners 
irom that place, taken at Fort Henry. They returned to this place Satur¬ 
day night, and on Sunday morning (yesterday) the traitor captives, among 
whom were Gen. Lloyd Tilghman and staff, of about ten officers and sixty 
privates, who were put on board of a special train, under command of Col. 
Murphy, with 100 of our men as guard escorts, and started for Alton prison. 
They will probably reach there this morning. I had the pleasure of getting 
a “sqint ’ at them as they were going aboard of the train. Gen. Tilghman 
is a smart, active man, of medium height, with a keen eye; he wears a grey 
suit and a drab felt hat rolled up on one side, attached with three stars. 
The other officers were uniformed in grey, on which was an extensive 
amount of fancy trimming. They are all inteligent looking men, and seem 
to appear easy and indifferent about matters as you please. Their private 
soldiers were rough looking men, without uniforms, with ragged clothes, 
sheepish looking and silly in conversation. 


Cairo, Illinois, February 10, 1862. 

Cairo is at present the centre of attraction, not as far as the city itself is 
concerned, for there are not many attractions here save the mud and water 
that infests the town, and that is certainly a great nuisance. Three special 
trains have arrived during the day, loaded down with anxious spectators 
and friends looking after their dead and wounded relatives who participated 
in the late battle. Old grey-headed men, whose silvery locks bespeak that 
their pilgrimage is nearly ended, are bowed down with grief at the news 
of the death of a devoted son—a mother is weeping for her lost one, cold 
in the arms of death. Many, whose hearts but a few days ago were light 
and joyous, are now filled with sadness and mourning. Many, ah, many 
wives are made widows, children orphans, friends have lost friends, and the 
oountry mourn the loss of many of her brave defenders. While some are 
running through the streets frantic with grief, others are wild and joyous 
over the glorious victory at “ Donelson.” It is indeed a subject of exulta¬ 
tion on the one hand, on the other it is one of sorrow and sadness. Two 
extreme pictures. 

The Illinois troops have won for themselve an honorable name for the 
bravery and daring they have shown in the late battle, and while they have 
■won lasting laurels for themselves and done honor to their noble State, they 
have also suffered severely. Illinois is in morning. Let us extend our 
heartfelt sympathy to the people of our sister State, in the loss she has sus¬ 
tained in fighting for the cause of the Union. Governor Yates, of this State, 



72 


OPENING- OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


and his Cabinet—Governor Morton, of Indiana, and many influential men 
from Iowa and OMo, are here looking after the welfare of their troops. 
Over two thousand have arrived in the city since yesterday; many among 
them are women, who have come here on a mission of charity. Eleven 
steamers came down to-day from the battle ground loaded down with pris¬ 
oners. I should think at least 5,000 have arrived; the balance will be 
brought down to-morrow. I understand that 2,000 of these prisoners are 
to start for Chicago this morning. (I wonder if Wisconsin cannot take care 
of some of them.) It. has been suggested, and I should not be at all sur¬ 
prised if you should have a few thousand. Most of the wounded have been 
left in hospitals in or near the Fort, and some of them have been brought 
down to Mound City Hospital, (six miles above here.) 

The fight at Fort Donelson lasted three days and nights, and was the 
bloodiest battle ever fought on this continent; both sides acting with 
equal determination to wun the prize, and each side swearing “victory or 
death ;” but on Sunday morning, at 9 o’clock, the rebels ran up the white 
flag, making an unconditional surrender to General Grant, consisting of the 
Fort, with 12,000 prisoners, (among whom are Generals Buckner and Bushrod 
Johnson,) 20,000 stand of arms, 3,000 horses, 48 pieces of field artillery 17 
heavy seige guns, and a vast quantity of stores. 

It is probable that there were about 26,000 of the rebels in and around 
the fortifications, and tliat General Pillow was in command, assisted by 
Floyd, of Virginia, Buckner, of Kentucky, and Bushrod Johnson, of Tennes¬ 
see. Floyd accomplished the best piece of stealing (for his own benefit) 
that he has yet made—he stole himself away, sneaking off Pillow and his 
brigade, of probably 5,000 men, before the surrender. 

The rebel prisoners are all “down” on Floyd, and it is reported that he has 
been assassinated by his own men, but we have nothing showing the relia¬ 
bility of the report. 

The prisoners taken at the Fort are a hard looking set of men as to dress 
but are seemingly in good spirits. They are not uniformed,—most of them 
wearing brown drilling pants, slouched hats, and they have blankets and 
coverlids of every shade and hue. They are knock-kneed, hump-backed 
with bloated countenances and long haired, and are really the picture of dis- 
pair, and they say they have not received a cent of pay since last Septem- 

The most noticeable feature in this connection, was. that Q n ^ 



UHUO UiU llclg. ~ 

The officers are better dressed, more intelligent, and appear better than 
their followers. 

Altogether, they are about as motley a crew as FallstafF’s recruits. Alton 
prison is nearly filled with rebel prisoners. Several thrmsanri 


their followers. 



TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


73 


with blue caps, dark blue jackets, and sky blue pants, and we present quite 
a good appearance. I think we will have a chance to show our new clothes 

n ” els before lon f Company “ K,” Capt Lyon, is stationed at 
Mound City, and many of our men from other companies have been detail¬ 
ed as nurses at the hospital in that place Our men have a great deal of 
fatigue duty to perform. Every thing is Illinois here, and the Illinois troops 
get the praise of what is done. ^ 

come ^ expectmg tvvo Wis consin regiments down here soon.—Let ’em 

Yesterday the officers of the Eighth Wisconsin called upon his Excellency 
Governor Yates, at the St. Charles Hotel, by invitation of our commanding 
General, and paid their respects. 

Colonel Murphy returned this morning from Alton, after conveying the 
rebel prisoners he had in charge to that place. General Tilghman assured 
tne Colonel that he would ever remember the kindness and courtesy extend¬ 
ed to them. The officers were immediately permitted to go out into the city 
hotel^ 01 ’ and bef '° re tbe Colonel left Alton they had engaged board at the 

Our boys are buying up confederate scrip of the prisoners, paying as high 
as par for the same. 6 6 


Cairo, III., February 22, 1862. 

As I have nothing special on hand to occupy my thoughts at the present 
time, and the mud so shockingly deep for so short a personage as myself, it 
would not be policy to venture outside of the barricks, I will ask to be par¬ 
doned for inditing a few hasty lines by way of recreation, and drive on. 

To-day is Washington’s birth-day—“ the Father of our country,” and is 
being celebrated here by the firing of cannon, etc. Since 9 o’clock this morn¬ 
ing, almost incessantly, cannon have been booming from the batteries of 
Bird s Point, Fort Holt and at Cairo. The 32 and 128 pounders have been 
making the welkin ring with their firing, showing that the American heart 
still beats warm for that true old patriot, who fought through many a strug¬ 
gle to establish the Union, for which we now are fighting, and when he fore¬ 
saw the troubles that are now upon us, and warned the people to stand by 
the glorious old Stars and Stripes, for fear of this dire calamity that has be¬ 
fallen us—even in his Farwell Address these profound words flowed from the 
lips of the old veteran, “ Stand by the Union and the Flag.” We cherished 
those words, and have pledged our sacred honor to maintain them. The 
traitors are planing in their dark dens to overthrow this beloved country of 
ours. Let us stand by the old flag, the proud emblem of America. We have 
done it, and ever shall! 

The glorious news of the surrender of Fort Donelson has filled the hearts 
of the Union men of our country with joy to overflowing, while it has struck 
terror and disappointment to those who have been seeking for our blood 
and attempting to overthrow the institutions of our once peaceful country. 
Had it not been for these miserable, treacherous and unprincipled men, 
who are pushed on by leaders meaner and more contemptible, this nation 
would to-day be in a more prosperous and happy condition than it ever was 
before. The effect of this war is not only the loss of many a good and brave 
man in the field, but around many a home circle where innocence dwells, 
there will be sadness and mourning. It will deprive wives of their husbands, 
parents of their children, children of their fathers, and will destroy the 
friendship of friends, divide families, ruin the social circle, destroy property 



74 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OP. 


and bring thousands upon thousands of our citizens to poverty and destitu¬ 
tion. Thank God these destroyers of our glorious country are fast being 
brought in from the great boasted threshing floor of Rebeldom, and are meet¬ 
ing their just deserts. Keep the ball in motion. 

Among the “articles of warfare” that will figure conspicuously to replace 
our government on the same prosperous footing as before, are our mortars, 
the most formidable weapons of warfare that have yet been brought into the 
field. These mortars will take an active part in drawing the enemy out of 
his strongholds, and will prove the most terrific and terrible engines of de¬ 
struction the enemy has yet had to encounter. They are four feet long, three 
feet in diameter, and their weight is 17,210 lbs.; they have a bore easily ad¬ 
mitting a thirteen inch shell, and from the edge of the bore to the outer rim, 
is seventeen inches. The weight of the mortar bed is 4,500 lbs. Each mor¬ 
tar can be fired only four times an hour. Twenty-three lbs. of powder is a 
lull charge, sending a shell three and a half miles with accuracy, and being 
thirty-one seconds in its flight. The mortar boats are sixty feet long, by 
twenty-five feet wide. So heavy and deafening is the concussion when fired, 
that no man can stand the shock to fire one of them more than ten times in 
succession. With these monster weapons we can so disfigure the face of 
seceshiondom that the European powers can not recognize them! 

When the late expedition went up the river the other day, the gunboats 
passed a small town that was situated about a mile and a half back from the 
river, and knowing that it was infested with secessionists, Com. Foote took it 
into his head to have a little fun, so he fired a shell over into the town, which 
burst as soon as it struck the ground. It so frightened the inhabitants that 
they fled in wild confusion to the Avoods. Every man, woman and child, in 
less than five minutes after the shell Avas fired, was seen scampering away. 
Com. Foote thought he Avould send a man up to see Avhat the people in the 
town thought about his firing As the man approached the town he saw one 
old ebony felloAV—an old negro, sitting on a log, holding his hands in the 
air, and his eyes cast heavenward, moaning and half frightened to death. 
The darkey did not know what was up; he could not see any gunboats, and 
lie could not imagine what Avas the cause of the trouble in town. There he 
sat, looking at his wounded hand, (for a missile from the shell had hit him,) 
and exclaiming at the top of his voice, u Oh, de Lor’! Avha—am—dat! Oh, 
de Lor’! I just seed a great big thing cornin’ down from de Heavens, a 
howlin’ and bustin’ to de ground! and den lie swell up, and busted all ober 
de ground, and all ober de town! and most killed dis poor nigger, and scared 
all de Avhite folks and all the black folks, 'cept me into de Avoods I Oh, de 
Lor’! you ought to had seen ’em run! Oh, oh ! Massa, look at my poor black 
hand, all red with blood ! Oh-o-o! ” 

Capt. \ oung, of Co. “E,” and company, started this evening for St. Louis 
Avith prisoners, on board a steamer, and we have just this moment received 
orders to go doAvn the river in a steamer, toAvards Columbus, to accompany 
some gunboats that are going on a reconnoitering expedition. There will be 
three steamers, with 300 troops each Col. Murphy takes 300 of his regi¬ 
ment on the steamer Illinois. We take one day’s rations. There are fears 
that the rebels are evacuating Columbus, and we propose to know by what 
authority they dare assume so much power. We start at daylight to-morrow. 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


75 


Cairo, III., February 25, 1862. 

At. the conclusion of iny last letter, Col. Murphy had orders to embark 
with 300 men, on board steamer Illinois , to accompany Brig. Gen. Paine, and 
a small force on a reconnoitering expedition down the river, towards Co¬ 
lumbus. 

It was a charming Sunday morning, 23d inst., the sun shone, out warm 
and pleasant. Every man was dressed in his new blue uniform preparatory 
to movement, and at 8 o’clock we marched along, tramp! tramp! down to 
the levee, headed by our brass band, whicli discoursed the sweetest of music 
as we marched through the crowds of spectators, who had congregated on 
the corners to witness the departure of a portion of the “Live Eagle Regi¬ 
ment. At precisely 9 o’clock, the flotilla, comprising the steamers Illinois , 
conveying the Eighth Wisconsin, Col. Murphy, with General Paine and staff 
and Gov. Kirkwood, of Iowa, on board; the steamers Continental., and the 
Chancellor, with 300 men each, of 27th Illinois, Col. Buford, accompanied by 
five gunboats—the Cincinnati, Carondalet, St. Louis, Mound City and Con- 
nest og a, and two transports, one of which had in tow, two Mortar 
boats, pushed out into the stream, and floated down the river—the gunboats 
leading off. As we started, the cheering of the people on shore rang 
through the air, and the batteries of Forts Cairo, Holt and Birds Point 
opened a thundering salute of thirteen guns. Flags were floating from ail 
the boats in the river, and kerchiefs were waving from the balcony of the 
“St. Charles.’’ This was indeed a gala day for our boys, and the feelings of 
every one seemed to correspond with the lovely aspect of the scene around 
us; all was joy and animation. The Mississippi never floated a merrier 
crew, than when the steamers left their moorings and rounded to the stream, 
and such responsive cheering as swelled from the hearts of our brave vol¬ 
unteers you never before heard. 

"W e were supplied with one day’s rations; with muskets and a full compli¬ 
ment of ammunition, and were expecting to have the pleasure of attending 
Divine service (Beecher’s style!) in Columbus, before returning, but were 
sadly disappointed—the church was full and we coultfnt get in. 

Our flotilla sailed slowly down the river, and when passing old Fort Jef¬ 
ferson, the stars and stripes were sent to the breeze, and a salute fired, which 
was responded to with rousing cheers from the steamers as we passed the 
old Fort. The shore along the river on either side are low and swampy, 
and are heavily timbered with oak, elm and sycamore, upon which the 
Mistletoe grows in abundance, and looks as fresh and green as the trees in 
mid summer. When we approached to within about three miles of Colum¬ 
bus, (yearly opposite the late battle field of Belmont,) and were winding 
around a bend in the river, following slowly in the wake of the gunboats, 
the Columbusters discovering us, fired a shot which struck in the river about 
a mile below our fleet, throwing the water high in the air, as much as to 
say—“come no nearer.” With a glass we could distinctly see their encamp¬ 
ment and some of their fortifications. We did not return the fire, but. kept 
gradually floating down the river. Our object was to gain a position—plant 
our mortars and throw a few shells into their stronghold, and drive them 
out of their entrenchments, while our little band of infantry were to act as 
scouts to draw the enemy out, while our gunboats played into them to the 
tune of “ Yankee-doodle.” We had gained our position about 12 o’clock, 
covered by our guns and mortars, behind a point of woods that ran out into 
the river which would completely hide us from the fire of the rebels, and 
nearly two miles distant, expecting every moment when our huge mortars 
would peel forth their firey vengeance, when, to our utter disappointment 
and surprise, our hopes and anxiety of witnessing the scene, if not a par¬ 
ticipant, were all frustrated by the discovery of a steamer coming up 


76 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


around the bend of the river with a flag of truce floating from her mast¬ 
head. Our little tug (or Bumble Bee, as they call it on account of its size 
and speed, which went along to convey orders from one boat to another,) 
with Commodore Foote, and General Cullum chief-of-staff on board, imme¬ 
diately went down to ascertain the object of the flag. For two hours or 
more we were kept in anxious suspense until the boats separated; the rebel 
steamer returning to Columbus and our little Bumble Bee came puffing and 
blowing through the water towards our steamer. At this juncture you can 
easily imagine the anxiety that was manifested as to the tidings that were 
coming. When the messenger arrived we were informed that the rebels 
were anxious to “treat!’’—I immediately suggested that if such was the 
case, I would take mine in Lager! Yes, the rebels proposed to evacuate the 
place in forty-eight hours—the result of the consultation is not yet publicly 
known, but we can rationally conjecture that it is favorable to our side at 
least. You may expect to hear from me in a few days, from Columbus, and 
that the “Live Eagle Regiment,” which figured so conspicuously in the late 
battle at Donelson! ! will be in possession of the “Manassas of the West.” 
Immediately after the disappearance of the flag of truce, our -whole fleet 
returned to Cairo, conscious that we had whipped the enemy in their strong¬ 
hold, brought them to terms, and were returning to our homes with the 
the laurels we had won. The Eighth Wisconsin conquered an army of 
15,000 strong, without firing a gun !—let this be recorded! We arrived at 
Cairo at 5 o’clock, after enjoying ourselves exceedingly on our pleasant trip, 
floating down the river on that bright sunny morn. 

Nashville is ours ! • 


Cairo, III., March 20th, 1862. 

I have delayed writing for a long time, for the simple reason that I could find 
nothing to write about that would be of interest to your numerous readers, 
but must postpone it no longer, for fear you may forever erase my name 
from the list of your distinguished contributors. 

Cairo is at present my abiding place, and for aught I know, it is ever to 
remain so. I have become so much attached to this city of mud, and the 
associations connected with it, for when one becomes attached to the mud 
it is with great difficulty that he can release himself from its sticking pro¬ 
pensity ; and again, Cairo may properly be called a “strong hold,” for the 
reason that when once a person gets into it, he may consider himself “stead- 
last and immovable,” and “Spaulding,” with all his boasted “glue,” is 
lorever cast into the shade, when compared to this cohesive mixture that 
lnlests the streets of Cairo. It is a common occurrence here to witness mule 
and horse teams stuck fast in the street, surrounded by a crowd of men and 
boys with ropes and rails trying to extricate them. I yesterday saw some 
boys boat riding through the streets. This is said to be not an unusual 
pleasant pastime here in the spring of the year, when the Ohio river over- 

i 0W £i. ^ f. 8 ’ and ’ in fact ’ were h not for the levee around the town 
the Ohio and Mississippi would inundate the place. 

It is said that the Ohio is higher now than ever was known before They 
have established pumps along the levee, that run by machinery, for the pur¬ 
pose of draining off the water from the flats. Were it not for these pumps 
everything would be afloat. The only relief to one traveling through the 
town, is now and then a piece of sidewalk to be seen in the distance and 
you start and wade on, keeping your “eyes right,” till you reach it ;’but, 
before you have gone half the length of the only piece of side walk that is 
visible to the naked eye, your then restored equilibrium is again ruffled by 



TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING- IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


77 


the approacn of perhaps half a dozen negresses, with Lord! what jnon- 
saous hoops, a la Africa, swelling out in the breeze,.crowding you off the 
walk, and m spite of the duty that is always due yourself—-self-preserva¬ 
tion —you find that you are nearly submerged by the mud and water into 
which you so involuntarily stepped to accommodate the fair daughters of 
Africa . but with the consolation that you have done your duty in showing 
the gals your gal-lantry. Such was my experience this morning, and if you 
had been a spectator of my appearance, and a listener to the indignant pent 
up thoughts that gave vent in wild exclamations of madness, after my ar¬ 
rival on dry land, you would be tempted to blot my cognomen from the 

But ’ thanks t0 an Over-Ruling power, I am, like 
pooi Benedict, safe again on terra firma, and will not venture out on the 
raging sea again, until I have secured a board -ing place somewhere that will 
support me over the water. I am a sympathizer with Jonah, the notorious 
personage who “swallowed up the whale up,” and like him of old, I am 
resolved to remain on dry land till after the flood. 

In my travels up town this morning, I visited an apple stand, where sat 
an Irish woman, anxiously waiting for a customer. I approached her and 
asked the price of her apples. Said she, “ I unly charge three cints a piece 
for than, and they cost me five cints! ” - Why, my dear woman, how can 

you make anything at that rate ? ” “Och ! ” says she, “sure, and bejabez, 
its the large quantity I sill! ” J ’ 

Pat is going off to the war and wishes to leave his sweetheart, Biddie, a 
lock of his hair as a keepsake, so he gets off the following, which illustrates 
tuily the Irish character, and the cool and indifferent style in which it is 
spoken makes it more ludicrous : 


Och! Biddie, me darlint, 

Here’s a lock of me hai-r, 

And, if there’s a snarl in’t, 

A dale of a bit do I care—any how. 


Biddie, I’m going away, to fight in the war, 

And you can take it and kape it, for your share, 

And, if not, you can let it be—if you like, 

For, b’dad, I’m not particular—anyhow. 

An Irish soldier in one of the Illinois regiments, who was wounded in the 
arm at the battle of Donelson, had to have his arm amputated. The Sur¬ 
geon told him it was necessary to amputate his arm to save his life. “Och! 
Doctor,” says he, “I’d rather pay five dollars than have me arm off!” 

There appears to be many opinions regarding the pronunciation of the 
word Cairo. Most people give a the broad sound, but the name is derived 
from one of the principal towns in Egypt, and is a foreign title, and it is 
pronounced thus, Kiro—giving the broad sound to the letter i, and hence 
it should be pronounced Kiro (Cairo.) 

The weather here is mild and pleasant; the grass is beginning to look 
green and the trees are budding, and the thermometer stands to-day 90° above 
zero in the shade. 

The Eighth Regiment, under command of Lieut. Colonel Robbins, assisted 
by Maj. Jefferson, left Cairo, starting for new Madrid, on the 4th inst., since 
then we have heard nothing directly from them, but presume they are still 
at that point. Col. Murphy, in consequence of severe indisposition was 
unable to go with his regiment. He has never been away from them before 
while on a march, and as they are now in the field, he regrets exceedingly 
that his health will not allow him to join his command. As soon as his 
health will permit, however, you may rest assured that he will be with them. 


78 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


The week previous to the departure of the regiment, the Colonel was busily 
engaged inspecting the troops at these several points, (about 15,000 in all.) 
He performed this duty in half the time alloted him and with perfect satis¬ 
faction to the general in command, but, by over exertion and exposure his 
health has become greatly impaired. He has had much to contend with, and 
to weigh down his spirits ; his family have nearly all been sick; one of his 
children have died; his regiment in the field and he not able to accompany 
them, when his presence is most required, all these barriers must be a 
source of discouragement to him at this time. But in the absence of the 
Colonel, should the gallant Eighth be ordered to charge upon the enemies 
works you would ever find them ready for the conflict, and with the daring 
spirit of our Lieut. Colonel; the military skill and ability of our Major, and 
the coolness and daring of our Adjutant, you may be assured that our boys 
will march forward triumphantly to victory. 

Company “ K,” Capt. Lyon, are still at Mound City, and are anxious to 
join the regiment, but there are no troops to relieve them, so they will pro¬ 
bably remain at that post sometime. Lieut. Bartlett is acting Quartermaster 
at the post. Several of our men are acting city police guard here; they 
carry carbines, and I judge they rather like that branch of duty. Among 
those of the Eighth now in Cairo, are the Chaplain, the Sutlers, Colonel’s 
Orderly, Dr. Thornhill and the subscriber. The Doctor’s wife, Mrs. Adju¬ 
tant Sprague, Mrs. Capt. Dawes and Mrs. McKinley are also here, all 
designing to go down to the regiment as soon as we can get there. We 
have been in readiness several days but cannot reach the regiment by water 
until the rebels are routed from Island No. 10, which point is about ten 
miles this side New Madrid and thirty from here. They are now fighing at the 
Island and have been for several days with artillery. Our gunboats and 
mortars are pouring into them with vengeance! and we are looking anxi¬ 
ously for a speedy and favorable result. We have about fifty sick here in 
hospital, and Dr. Thornhill is discharging all that are not able to do duty. 
Nineteen men were sent their way rejoicing towards home to-day, and where 
they had no money the Doctor lent them ten, twenty and as high as thirty 
dollars. The Doctor is much liked by the sick and they ever find him ready 
and willing to administer to their wants; he is no “quack,” but a better sur¬ 
geon has not yet left the State and gone into the war. The 16th passed 
through here last Monday, en route for Donelson on the steamer Planet. Had 
the pleasure of shaking hands with Lieut. Col. Fairchild, Maj. Reynolds and 
many others from the Capital. They remained in town but a few hours. 


Camp near Point Pleasant, Mo., 

March 27th, 1862. 

On Monday, the 25th inst., at 2 p. m., we took the last lingering look of 
the deplorable city of Cairo and its surroundings, with its flooded streets, its 
muddy cross-ways and dilapidated buildings, and started, in company with 
our incomparable Sutler and two jovial Chicago friends, to rejoin the Eighth 
Wisconsin. Crossed the river to Bird’s Point on the Government steamer, 
Flora Bell , in time to connect with the Cairo and Fulton railroad train. After 
pushing on through crowds of soldiers, mule teams, ambulances, scrambling 
over fences and wading through mud and water nearly over boot top, we 
reached the only passenger car on the road, and after a great deal of finan¬ 
ciering we managed to secure seats, and off the train started for Sykeston, 
twenty-five miles distant from Cairo, and the terminus of the road. From 
thence we trusted to luck and “Sandy’s brass” to get us through to our 
journey’s end. We, of course, were all connected with the Sutler depart- 



TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


79 

mpnt ° f Th?Q^ i8 5 0nSin *F ght ^; an l Sand y wasthe commander of the detach¬ 
ment. This made matters all “0. K.” We soon “got in” with the con- 

ftS ,by i®-? 7, f0lmd t0 bc a g eilial fellow g and ready to give or 

ake a joke or a drink-of water-or smoke a good cigar at any time. 8 Said 
that he was one of the proprietors of the railroad, and was running the 

are HcSnZff eSp<>ciany for our accommodation, and did not charge 
oor r,»rfv f f t0 Carry P assen K ers for nothing, trust to luck, and like 
wL P enmfoSow r -TT ? r , 10e ' So we consol «> ourselves then that we 
tho Lh5 n „fl PrOT M ed T- ltb ,rana P or ‘» ti °'i, we were likewise gratified in 
I,r,r> ft* ^ 1 * WOuld V 1 time reach the regiment in safety. Thus matters 

Z e J™ m W f nt ° n at the extravagant speed of about five miles an hour— 

intilwa t0 x mar a Person’s equilibrium or effect ones nerves— 

until we reached Sykeston, at / o’clock the same evening. 

On the line of railroad, for at least sixteen miles out, we passed through 
the most lorsaken portion of country that “lies out doors.” For miles the 
llnH some parts under water, and the Mississippi has overflowed the 

land far back into the country. After leaving this detestable region of low 
lands you gradually ascend into a better add more pleasant portion of the 

R ha I leS 1 t0n ’ a sma11 vllla S e about twelve miles out, is handsomely 
located on the banks of a small stream or river that empties into the Missis¬ 
sippi. The coziness of this town, and the admirable country surrounding it 
made one think of home; it cast a buoyancy over our feelings, and was in¬ 
deed a relief, not only to our spirits, but also to the eye, after journeying 
hrough swamps and marshes, whose only occupants are frogs, toads and 
striped snakes. On a few miles further, we passed Bertrand, a small station 
^uvV 1116 ’ f nd ’ Charleston, its houses are nearly all deserted, and the 
inhabitants have migrated to a more congenial clime, where the roar of can¬ 
non is not heard ; or have gone into the rebel army. The latter supposition 
would most likely be correct, as secession appears to be in the majority 
among the inhabitants of these parts. At Sykeston we were fortunate enough 
to find a tavern, kept by the founder and proprietor of the town—“Old 
feykesy, himself. Here we found everything necessary for the comfort and 
maintamance of mankind generally, with a superb supper, a good night’s rest 
and an early breakfast, with a vast number of Sambos and Dinas at youi* 
elbow, to “ brush away the blue tail fly,” while eating. Mr. Sykes is a grey 
haired, venerable old man of wealth and refinement. He had retired with his 
wealth and dignity upon his plantation until the war element broke out 
when he was compelled to open his house to the public, there being so great 
a preasure of travel through his place. All the other buildings in the town 
being vacant, the old man opened his beautiful residence as an abiding place 
for travelers, where one can at all times be provided with a fashionable dish 
of hominy, a corn dodger, or a hoecakc, and “I reckon” most any other dish 
that corn will produce, for it appears to be the staple production in these 
parts. This old gentleman is a silent sympathizer with rebeldom. His house 
was formely the headquarters of Jeff. Thompson, while that notorious gue¬ 
rilla chieftain was in that vicinity. I lodged in the very same room that Jeff 
occupied only a month before. It is said that he robbed a bank in Charles¬ 
ton of $56,000, a short time ago. But to proceed on our journey: 

.The next morning we found over 200 Government teams loaded with com¬ 
missary stores starting for General Pope’s headquarters, ivliich are 
three miles above New Madrid. Here we arrived in due time, disembarked 
and proceeded to the distinguished general’s domicile, which is a log house 
completely surrounded, as it were, by a dense forest of white tents, that’ 
stretches over a surface of ground of at least 1,000 acres. As far, almost as 
the eye can reach soldiers greet you, flags, the glorious old stars and stripes 
are floating in the breeze, and the roll of the drum and the shrill whistle of 
the fife inspired us with renewed strength, so after procuring a pass to go 


80 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OP 


through the lines, we started on our way rejoicing towards New Madrid, 
halted about a mile out under the shade of a hay stack, and replenished the 
inner man by indulging in the luxury of a cold chicken, hoe-cake and Mis¬ 
sissippi water—which we had not forgotten to carry along in our haver¬ 
sacks—thereby transfering our load of provisions from our haversacks to an 
easier locality for transporting ! (Now the question arises in my mind, by 
so doing, would the load be lighter ? ) On we started, and as fortune fa¬ 
vors the brave,” along came a team—we planted ourselves therein and jog¬ 
ged on to New Madrid, at which place, I must say that I was never more 
surprised than I was at its appearance ; the houses are tenantless and shat¬ 
tered to pieces by cannon balls. Destruction of property by the rebels is 
visible everywhere—they laid waste apple and peach orchards—shrubbery 
and beautiful shade trees around private dwellings were cut down—they 
drove the inhabitants from the town, and burned many of their houses. 
Those left standing are shattered by cannon balls and shells. I saw a 
church where one shell had passed, in its descent, through the lower paid of 
the steeple coming out at the side of one of the windows. The Court House, 
still standing, shared the same fate—at least half a dozen balls passed 
through the building—the rebels supposing it to be our hospital, but in this 
they were mistaken. The building had been a short time before occupied by 
Gen. Pope, as headquarters, but was then unoccupied. I saw three wooden 
guns ! mounted on old cart bodies, and commanding the river. (This must 
have been a great scene—a second edition to Manassas illustrated!) Also had 
the satisfaction of seeing the great Columbus Cable—it is a monster chain— 
its links are about one and a half feet in length and nearly three inches in 
diameter. 

After looking through the town and examining the works and ruins of 
the late battle, we started on towards Fort Thompson, one mile distant, 
where we found, after arriving, to our surprise and gratification, two of the 
Wisconsin batteries—the 6th and 7th. Here we met many friends. They 
were looking and feeling as happy and contented as they would at home by 
their own firesides. Capt. Griffith, Lieut. Green, Lieut. Wheeler, of the 
■6th, and Capt. Dillon of the 7th, seemed to spare no pains in providing for 
our comfort. They shared with us their cots and a seat at their frugal 
board, for they were well supplied with every luxury which camp life affords. 
We were, in fact, hospitably entertained by them, and were shown around 
through the fort, and over their fortifications. They are all gentlemen of 
the first order, and, like their own Badger brothers, will never shrink from 
where duty may call them. 

I herewith enclose, for publication, a copy of an official letter, copied 
verbatim et literatim , from Gen. Pillow to Jeff. Thompson, directing him to 
destroy a certain bridge on the C. & F. railroad (I saw the identical bridge 
and its ruins. It has since been rebuilt.) Also a letter^ from some lovesic 
damsel to her luvyer in the rebel army, both of which I copied from the 
original manuscript now in the hands of one of the members of said bat¬ 
tery, at Fort Thompson. [The letters are published below.] The boys 
are pleasantly located on the bank of the Mississippi river, and occu¬ 
pying the very barracks vacated not a month ago by the rebels, who 
vamoosed the ranche in double quick time during the fight, leaving 
everything, even their suppers steaming over their fireplaces, and many 
relics, which the boys have secured to send home to their friends. We 
staid with them till the next morning at 10 o’clock, then sallied forth 
on the road—got astride a fence—waited until a team came along and drove 
on. arriving here in camp at 6 o’clock last evening, and found the regiment 
encamped in the woods about a mile back from the river. 

Island No* 10 is taken-by the rebels! 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 81 

LETTERS REFERRED TO ON PRECEDING PAGE. 

Gen. Pillow to Jeff. Thompson: » 

New Madrid, 

Headquarters Army Liberation, 
February 7th, 18(32. 

upon the time an(i r< tflj^Anf FF ' T t n0 * MPS0N ~J forwar<1 for Gen - Hardee, a dispatch intended to fix 
s i ? Ur f( ? rces - It *8 important that he should receive it as 

advised vou vesterd .v n/ ml n r prude “. t Carrier ’ and ih \ ect hiui to bl 'ing me buck an answer. I 
S«nAw«#h 7 / y P re P arat, °n upon an early advance. It is important if it can be 

cast of Sydcestoif' * a / >or J ion — m «ch as can be done-of the railroad in’ the swamp 

»s»i=°L Sy f t0D ' Have the ^rustle-work all cut down, if it can be done I will keen voi. 
advised of my movements, I will come well prepared with artillery and cavalry. P y 

Yours truly, 

GEO. J. PILLOW. 

General Commanding . 


Mat. A. Shepard for Cathrine Swan to her “ Luvyer .” 

Arkansas Salin Co., 
Jenuary 26t, 1862. 

1 this i eavenning sect myself fur the perpus of ansering yure kind letter which cum 
J,eDh y nf 8U, V lme back - 1 was K ,;ul t0 here from you and to here that you wulwdl SS 
f h T £ Untl *£ 13 n0t very good ’ thar ‘ s a aum sickne9 - thars a rite smart of mumps in’ the 
- l - hav then ? w ? nce but am well of them. Whis has got them now but is better 
now, etha is a very sick know to, l think she has got the tifoid fever, jim i have nothin wood 

wriUn R *° {?* T * C 1 8,nua letter * ji,n ’ 1 dt “ clair 5 dont how to^ comment 

wntin it fur i never see such a cnsmus in my life, i tuken the mumps crismus dav i Rude at 

home al day. Let ha was hear we sot and talked a bout al of you al day. ji£“i never Me nuJr 
yung man at crismus but i hope it wunt be so next, y J ’ e ' er ^ nur * 

■| 1 wnmt 0 nnTh. 1 S H mthm a K b0 i Ut lu 7 in of m .?’ ‘ 7 as not ser Prised when i herd it, fur i always thot so. 

hi«°m ha i a “ UCh fur y0u Jun ’ 1 thank you ’ * hav as milch rite to luve you a heap as 
you have me. <uid l mean to luve you as hard as you do me, to save yure life, and as lorn-- ihn 

i will take good cair of yure hart as long as 1 can kepe it, and you must take good cair of mine 

^‘ r ° y ° a n l ust “ ot looze “y hart - if you do i will give yourn to sum of the gerls. jim. my eyes 
is so sore l cant see how to reed my ritin« yourn MAT. A SHEPARD ^ ^ 

fur Cathrine swan. 


Point Pleasant, Mo., March 31, 1862. 

Agreeable to the promise in my last, I now improve the only available op- 
port unity l have had since my arrival, of giving you a few items from the 
Live Ragle Regmient, now encamped near Point Pleasant, where it ar- 
rived on the 12th inst., after a long and tedious marcli from Cairo. It would 
be difficult for me to give a very graphic account of their travels from the 
point of their departure to this place, as I did not accompany the regiment 
but. will note their march, and as many incidents connected with itas°I have 
been able to glean from others. On Tuesday, the 4th inst., the regiment 
received orders to pack up and move for Bertrand, Mo. They crossed the 
river to Bird’s Point after dark the same evening, staid there all night in bar¬ 
racks, and took up their line of march the next morning on the railroad 
track for B., arriving there at dark, sixteen miles, where they pitched what 
few tents they had brought along, and staid three days, (naming this en¬ 
campment “Camp Robbins,”) repairing biidges, etc ., which Jeff. Thompson 
had destroyed some few days before. Orders were then received to push on 
to reinforce General Pope at New Madrid. Accordingly the next morning 
on the 9th, they took the cars and came on six miles, to Sykeston, (this be¬ 
ing the first regiment that had passed over this railroad, where they en¬ 
camped, naming this “Camp Britton.”) Here it ra : ned all night, and our : 
boys got. pretty well drenched. On the morning of the 10th they again took 
up their line, and inarched eighteen miles, to within three miles°of Gen¬ 
eral Pope’s headquarters. Here they encamped for the night, (naming this 
() 



82 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


“Camp Murta.”) While there, a private in company “A,” by the name of 
F. C. bacon, was accidentally shot by a private in company “F.” He was 
shot in the arm. The ball passed through his side and lodged in the oppo¬ 
site side, near his heart. Dr. Murta extracted the ball, but the poor fellow 
died in a few hours. He was reputed as being a worthy young man and a 
good soldier. 

The following morning they again took up their line of march, and came 
on to within five miles of this place, where they again pitched their tents, 
(naming this “Camp Sprague,” in honor of our much respected Adjutant,) 
and on the morning of the 12th resumed their march, arriving at their pres¬ 
ent encampment, which is one and a half miles back from the Mississippi 
river, and what remains of the village of Point Pleasant, at II o’clock, a. m. 
The inhabitants of the town were not aware of the approach of our forces, 
and when they arrived in the town, the wildest excitement and fright imme¬ 
diately existed. They vacated the place, each one taking what he could 
carry away; skulking to the swamps, leaving only their negroes to look 
after their property. 

We are now brigaded. General Plummer, who was in command of our 
forces at the battle of Fredericktown, is in command of this division. The 
Eighth Wisconsin and Twenty-sixth Illinois compose the first brigade, (Col. 
Murphy commanding the first,) and 47th Illinois and 11th Missouri compose 
the second brigade. Our regiment occupies the most important position, 
being on the right of the division. In the absence of Col. Murphy, who 
has not yet arrived, Col. Loomis, of the 26th Illinois, commands the First 
Brigade. Adjutant Sprague is now Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 
Besides the force above named, we have one regiment of cavalry,—the 7th 
Illinois, and a battery of artillery, consisting of twelve large pieces. Has- 
cock’s battery is planted on the point, eight miles below here, opposite Tip- 
tonville, Tennessee, which commands the river, and several guns on op¬ 
posite shore Several rebel gunboats have attempted to run up by us, 
but our shells were too hot for them, and they fell back after receiving sev¬ 
eral compliments from our batteries. General Palmer’s division is now op¬ 
posite Tiptonville, ready to meet the enemy if he again attempts to land on 
this side. 

On the evening of the 18th, under the darkness of night, our men hauled 
a 24-pounder four miles down the river and masked it Six rebel gunboats 
arrived in the morning, and after an ineffectual attempt to run through, they 
turned and left in disgust at their own incompetency to accomplish their de¬ 
signs. The engagement lasted about one hour. Again, on the 18th, the 
rebels played the same game with us, and after a “right smart” little fight, 
were compelled to withdraw from the scene 

Our boys lie in the rifle pits, down by the river, every other night. They 
go down after dark, stay until the next night, when they can come out with¬ 
out being discovered by the rebels on the opposite side. We can plainly see 
the rebel pickets on the Kentucky shore, and they were so impudently saucy 
as to raise a “Secesh” flag ; it now floats defiantly at us Our boys black¬ 
guard them across the river, and they call us “d -d Lincolnites and nigger 
stealers.” One of them asked our boys, “Where is Gen. Lyon?” the answer 
w&s, “Gone to supersede Zollicoffer!” They occasionally salute us with 
shells, and we return the compliment. No one has yet been injured by their 
firing, but the buildings in the town are shattered considerably. The rebels 
fired a shell the other day over on to this side, and one of the boys, (the 
audacious scamp!) discovering it, (for you can easily see them coming 
through the air,) gave it chase, and as the shell struck the ground, he ran 
and picked it up, and discovering that the fuse was still burning, he threw it 
into a mud hole near where he was standing, thereby preventing its explo¬ 
sion. I think this young fellow deserves promotion, surely. A week ago 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN TIIK SOUTHWEST. 


83 


the rebels kept up their firing pretty briskly, and our boys were having raro 
sport chasing the balls as they went skipping over the ground, since which 
time they seem to be more sparing of their powder, and the boys are fret¬ 
ting and chafing for some recreation besides the monotonous duties of dril¬ 
ling and standing on guard. 

Several nights ago a number of the Eighth Wisconsin boys went over the 
river in the dead of night, for the purpose of spiking a rebel cannon and 
capturing their flag, but did not accomplish their object. They held a long 
conversation with the rebel sentinels, and then returned. But just as they 
were comiug away the sentinels fired at them, and their cannon let fly a 
charge of grape, but without effect. Our boys returned the fire. 

We have several negroes in our camp, having run away from their masters 
during their flight from the town. They are a lazy set, not. worth their liv¬ 
ing. 

The “secesh” ladies are more indignant than the men. They do not 
hesitate to speak out wrathful feelings, and they are very bitter against the 
Unionists 

The weather is quite warm here ; almost suffocating. The thermometer 
stands here to-day up to 80°. Peach, apple and plum trees are in full blosom. 

Island No 10 remains quiet, and it is believed that they are preparing to 
evacuate that point. Our morters were firing briskly for about an hour last 
night, above the Island, but no reply was received from the rebels. 

General Plummer reviewed the troops yesterday afternoon. Every thing 
passed off in grand style. 


Point Pleasant, Mo., April 9th, 1862. 

This is another delightful sunny afternoon, and such as the South only 
can produce at this season of the year, not uncomfortably warm in the sun, 
or too cool in the shade, with a slight breeze circulating through the air, 
and the little birds enlivening the scene with their sweet chorus of song. 
The forest trees have packed away in their trunks, their winter clothing, 
and are arraying themselves in spring attire. Peach and apple trees on the 
plantations are in full bloom, and the sycamore, Cyprus and pecan trees 
grow here luxuriantly. 

Everything is quiet around our camp to-day. Five hundred of our men 
went to the rifle pits at the river last night, and will not return till this 
evening. Heavy cannonading has been going on all day at Island No. 10, 
and last night one of our gunboats,—the Carondalct , succeeded in running 
the blockade, after spiking six of the rebel guns, and is now following the 
Kentucky shore down, silencing and dislodging all the enemies guns in her 
wake. She has just ‘ cleaned out” the batteries on the other side and spiked 
them, fche came through undiscovered by the enemy, by means of lashing 
flat boats loaded with hay to her sides. Our batteries have been firing con¬ 
tinually since noon, at one of the enemy’s masked guns on the opposite 
shore. We can easily discover the explosion of some of our shells from our 
mortars above the Island. Island No. 10 in a straight line from here, is not 
over four miles, but by following the river it is about thirty. If transports 
can be got through to this point our forces will cross the river and then you 
may look out for a warm time for the Eighth Regiment. 

We have most terrible and destructive wind storms in these parts. On the 
night of April 1st, trees fell around our camp, placing us in eminent danger 
of being killed or injured by them. Two of our men sleeping in a wagon 
were slightly bruised by a falling tree, and in the 7th Ill. cavalry camp, loca¬ 
ted a fchprt distance from ours, a tree fell, killing one lieutenant and a pri- 



84 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; 01t 


/ 


vale and seriously injuring a captain and several privates, also killing two hor¬ 
ses. This cavalry regiment, have been truly unfortunate since they came 
here, besides the loss by the falling trees, three of their pickets were a short 
'time ago killed by Jeff. Thompson’s men, and another was drownned while 
watering his horse. Our boys have been cutting away the trees near the 
-camp, so there will hereafter be no fears on that score. 

It is surprising to notice the vast number of “vidders ” in this country. 

• All the women we meet or converse with, claim that their dear protectors 
have long since departed this life, but the fact is, their beloved husbands 
have sought refuge in the swamps, under the treacherous and wily reign of 
Jeff. Thompson. Among these pretty, pouting widows stands one more 
conspicuous and ugly than the rest, whose illustrious name is Stanley. She 
is possessed of a fortune, a large plantation, fifty niggers, a fine residence 
and a devil of a disposition! She is one of the most ultra, raving secession¬ 
ists in the country—swears vengeance on all Unionists, and that openly to 
your face, for which she has been compelled to vacate her house for a hos¬ 
pital for our regiment, and our sick—of which we have about twenty—who are 
now occupying the Stanley domicile Near this building are six or eight 
log houses, where her negroes live—each house accommodating no less than 
^fifteen, and the majority of them children—all of one age, one size and one 
■color, who seem to be happy and contented, notwithstanding they have the 
misfortune of being born black! 1 had some conversation with these “col¬ 
ored individuals” a few' days ago. They state that their mistress is a very 
cross, tyranical woman, “that Missus Stanley wouldn’t ’low ’em to do wash¬ 
ing for Union folks,” saying “they are mean, hateful Yankees, and miserable 
ugly thieves, and wouldn’t pay ’embut said “when Massa Thompson was 
here, Missus made us wash for him and all his men, and wouldn’t let us 
take any pay for it ” Mrs. S. left her house very reluctantly, making all 
manner of threats, saying “ she would like to poison us alkj’’ 

Jeff. Thompson is said to be about fifteen miles back of here, in the 
swamps, with 600 cavalry. He has with him twelve one pound cannon, with 
which he shoots chickens and pigs, and the only military apparel he wears 
is a white feather in his hat, showing conclusively that his business mainly 
is robbing chicken roosts, and of which his feather is his sign. He is known 
throughout the country as a low, contemptible marauder, going about rob¬ 
bing the inhabitants, irrespective of friend or foe, and then skulking to the 
awamps. Most of the males that hed from this town, joined him. He has 
undoubtedly heard ere this that the Eighth Wisconsin has its Eagle eye 
upon his movements, and are only waiting a chance to give him another 
chase. He had a foretaste of our lead bullets at Fredericktown last fall, 
and he has not forgotten when he so unceremoniously took his flight to the 
woods, after the fall of Col. Lowe, leaving his men without a commander. 

Snakes are plenty here in the woods. One of the men found a very large 
rattlesnake a few days ago in his knapsack, and I expect any. morning to 
wake up and “ find snakes in my boots !” 

We are having very good living, considering the disadvantages we are la¬ 
boring under—“ so far from market!” Our principal bill of fare is summed 
up in one consolidated dish, viz.: corn ! Among the various fashionable 
-.dishes produced therefrom are corn-cake, hominy, Johnny cake, corn pud¬ 
ding, corn-dodgers, and occasionally, just for a change, we are favored with 
■mmh and corn-ed beef, all of which has a downward tendency, since the de¬ 
cline in breadstuff's in this locality. 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


85 


Nkw Madrid, Mo., Thursday, April 10, 1862. 

We have achieved another glorious victory. Island No. 10 is in our pos¬ 
sesion, and the navigation of the Mississippi is open from Cairo down as far 
as Randolph, Tenn., a short distance this side of Memphis, and our gunboats 
have gone down almost to that secession city. The traitorous hordes that have 
infested the other shore have all been captured, and are now safely in our 
hands, together w'ith an immense quantity of cannon, small arms, stores and 
camp equipage. 

On Monday morning last we received orders to pack knapsacks, strike 
tents, and start for New Madrid. Accordingly our whole force, composing 
the 6th Division, Gen. Plummer commanding, formed in line at 8 o’clock (the 
Eighth leading off) and marched from Point Pleasant to this place, ten miles, 
arriving here at four in the afternoon. Here we found Gen. Pope’s whole army, 
then crossing the river in transports. Everything was excitement. Regi¬ 
ments were continually arriving and departing for the other shore. The 
infantry, with its long line of brave soldiery, with bright bayonets, and guns- 
to a “ right shoulder, shift,” extended as far back as the eye could reach—and 
the steady tread of their feet kept time to the beating of the drums as they 
marched on. Then came the cavalry, with its gallant steeds, and more gal¬ 
lant riders, aimed with bright sabres and carbines; then the long line of 
artillery, with its huge cannon; and then followed the long train of trans¬ 
portation wagons, loaded with commissary stores and camp equipage, drawn 
by “long eared horses”—six to each wagon. We remained here till late in 
the evening before we could cross the river; and our boys believing that we 
would not move till morning, commenced building fires and preparing their 
suppers, but before they had time to eat what they had cooked, an order 
came to fall in. (I had obeyed this order some time before it was received, 
lor I did fall into a dose by the side of a tree, and upon awaking found the 
boys had gone, and in my half unconscious state of mind jumped up, 
stumbled, and fell into a mud hole, and it was some time before I fell in with 
the regiment. 

While we w T ere waiting for the boat to come up 10 cross us to the other 
shore, a suspicious looking craft came floating dow 7 n around the bend in the 
river. A gun from one of our batteries, one mile above here, opened fire 
upon her, but there came no response, and as she neared our batteries here 
at the river, they poured into her a fierce shower of ball and grape, several 
shots passing through her cabin, tearing away some of her works, and 
still no response was received. Presently, as she neared this shore, three of 
our men went out in a skiff and found her to be alone in her glory, floating 
gently down the Mississippi river. It proved to be a floating battery from 
Island No. 10, mounting thirteen large guns. She had been scuttled by the 
rebels and set afloat before they fled. She is now aground a few miles below 
here. Her guns are valuable and will be taken off. 

We captured but a few prisoners at the Island, perhaps 800, the balance 
fled toward Tiptonville, which is only five miles across the country from the 
Island, but they left behind, in their sudden flight, all of their cannon, small 
arms, and camp equipage, in numberless quantities. 

It seems that after the gunboats run the blockade so successfully, they 
became disheartened and surrendered everything. Some 4,0u0 fled from the 
Island towards Tiptonville, their only means of escape as they thought., but 
our forces were too fast for them. Gen. Pope knowing they had fled from 
the Island, immediately threw a force of 1500 troops into Tiptonville in time to 
bag them all, without firing a gun, they supposing (as I have been told by 
one of the prisoners) that we had no less than 20,0u0, and when they learned 
this fact, felt considerably chagrined, and indignant towards their lead¬ 
ers. Among the prisoners are Gens. McCall and Raynes, also many colonels, 
majors and officers of less note. Three of our gunboats were at Tiptonville 


86 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


at ilie time, ready to destroy the town if necessary, but previous to their 
departure they cleared the Kentucky and Tennessee shores of all the rebel 
batteries—seventeen in number, driving the traitors to the woods. Our 
Division was sent across the river, five miles below here., and landed near 
where was situated a rebel battery of three large guns that were silenced that 
same morning. One of its guns—a howitzer of monstrous size—-was hit by 
one of our shells, throwing it completely off its carriage over an embankment 
at least two rods. We stayed on the other side until yesterday morning, 
having remained two nights, sleeping on the ground with our blankets only, 
in a cold rain storm, with nothing to eat but mush and molasses, hard crack¬ 
ers and popped corn. We found a rebel encampment half a mile back and 
another two miles from the river, while on the other side. There we found 
tents standing, cots, trunks filled with clothing, provisions and a vast amount 
of trophies in the shape of knives, swords, bayonets, letters and many other 
things; in fact, they had left everything in their rapid flight. Our boys are 
loaded with secesh relics. Two pieces of artillery were also found by our 
men, two miles back in the woods, the rebels having attempted to carry them 
away but finding them too heavy left them behind. Several rebels came 
into our camp and gave themselves up. Two houses on the other side are 
tenantless and shattered by cannon balls. 

Steamers are now running from here to Cairo. Twelve large transports 
have been busy all day bringing up prisoners. They are a motley looking 
crowd, dressed after the old style, like those taken at Donelson, with blankets 
and coverlids of all shades and color with “butternut pants” and slouched 
hats. 

There is some talk of sending them to Wisconsin, and 1 am told that Gen. 
Halleck has been telegraphed on the subject Our regiment may have the 
honor of escorting them to Madison. 

Our Paymaster is here paying off Gen. Pope’s army, and the Eighth will 
probably be paid to-morrow. 


LATER. 

Nine p. m.—Gen. Halleck has just telegraphed to Gen. Pope, that “ the oc¬ 
cupation of Island No. 10 and New Madrid, by our forces, and the capture of 
over 5,000 of the enemy at Tiptonville, is the most brilliant achievement of 
the war. That the holding of Point Pleasant by Gen. Plummer’s command 
was the key to the opening of the Mississippi. That we must inscribe on 
our banners, The Heroes of Hew Madrid and Island No. 10, and are worthy 
the praise ol the whole country.” We have just received orders to move with 

a force of 0,000 destination-, with fifteen days ration. Look out for 

fun. 


On Board Steamer McClellan, 

Tuesday Evening, April 15, 1862. 

I have but a few moments to write, and will hasten on. The “ Badger 
boys” of the Eighth are pleasantly located on board the elegant steamer 
McClellan, now at Tiptonville waiting orders, to move somewhere. We did 
not leave New. Madrid until yesterday at 1 o’clock in the afternoon, owin«- 
to the non-arrival of a boat; the main force having gone down the i\ver the 
day previous, leaving the Eighth, a portion of the 26th Illinois, and a regi¬ 
ment of Michigan cavalry to follow the fleet. We struck tents on Friday 
evening, and marched half a miie to the river, expecting to go on board of 
a boat that evening, but, for some unknown reason, we were not fortunate 
enough, and so had to remain forty-eight hours on the bank of the Missis- 
sippi, Sleeping two nights on the ground, in the rain. But after considera- 




,TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN TUB SOUTHWEST. 


87 


ble financiering, they succeeded, on Sunday evening, in getting possession of 
one of the finest steamers on the river, and off we started on Monday at 8 
o’clock to join the main force below. 

The day was a favorable one, and the weather fine; the sun shone out 
warm and pleasant, and every one on board was joyous and happy. It 
seemed more like a pleasure excursion than going to war, and I verily be¬ 
lieve if we had been fired upon from the rebel batteries we would have stop¬ 
ped our boat and serenaded them with our band. We pissed Point Plea¬ 
sant, our late camping ground, ten miles below New Madrid, at 2 o’clock. 
The current of the river is very rapid, and our “bonnie boat” floated at a 
good speed, making about ten miles an hour. Passed Tiptonville, five miles 
below Point Pleasant, at 2£ o’clock; saw the opening in the wocds near this 
place where we captured so many rebels only a week ago. Passed on down 
the river, winding around bends and Islands (for the Mississippi is full of 
them) until about 4 o’clock, when, sailing around a curve in the river, we 
were somewhat surprised to meet four of our transports, viz: the Sam Gaty , 
Spread Eagle , Ohio Belle and McDowell , returning. We immediately rounded 
and headed up stream. I made up my mind that the rebel gunboats were 
on the chase after us, and immediately commenced seaching for a barrel 
(empty, of course!) to secrete your correspondent in case of an attack. My 
search proved fruitless, as there was but one, or a small portion of one, to 
be found, and that was robbed of all its apparel. Some *• stave-a-head ” 
fellow had appropriated the staves and heads of the barrel, and the negro 
woman (chambermaid) had taken the hoops off, and there was nothing left 
of said barrel but the bung hole. What could I do under the circumstances? 
This was the only barrel, and it had contained vinegar, so if I had secreted 
myself in it I would have, perhaps, found myself in a pretty pickle before re¬ 
leased ; I, therefore, ventured out on deck, just in time to learn the particu¬ 
lars : ‘‘Could’nt find a landing place for troops, the river being too high,” 
with orders to return to Tiptonville, and “ there wait further orders.” We 
obeyed, returning to this point last evening. Our gunboats went down 
within ten miles of Fort Pi'low ; they are still down the river and also most 
of our transports. Our destination, will be changed, I think. 

Here we lost one man, Peter Watson, of Company “ E,” fell overboard 
into the river, and was drowned. His body has not been recovered. 

This evening we are in the elegant cabin of our steamer. It is a long 
spacious cabin, decorated in elegant style with large mirrors, costly furni¬ 
ture, and occupied by as merry a crowd as ever assembled on the Missis¬ 
sippi. The chandeliers are brilliantly lighted up and the evening’s enter¬ 
tainment has begun. In oa^ end of the cabin, seated around a table are 
our staff officers, with several good looking ladies, playing whist, at another 
table are some ten or fifteen officers enjoying a simple game of euchre. At 
another table near the centre of the room, some half a dozen, including the 
subscriber, are writing letters. Some are singing, others telling snake 
stories and all are smoking. 

Colonel Murphy has not yet arrived; he is in St. Louis on business official. 

Papers have all been received; many thanks. ’Tis very warm here. 

The post boy is waiting for the mail—will give you some items of interest 
in my next. 


In the Field, Camp near Corinth, Miss., 

May 2d, 1862. 

I hastily resume my pen once more to let you know that we are still in the 
land of the living, and rusticating in the wild woods of Mississippi. Our 
camp is situated in one of the most charming localites, on a side hill beneath 



88 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


the cooling shades ot the forest trees, where all nature is blooming around 
us. We arrived here at 7 o’clock last evening, having marched six miles from 
our old camping ground, through the most delightful portion of country we 
have passed since entering the servive, over smooth, rolling hills and long, 
W m? h run f uninterruptedly through the forests, the 
b ™i? st 0 8t f a “ lets - lke roads were remarkably fine and smooth, and our 

r v tH^L a ,i ard / ne - f °u eStS Were enlivened % the chorus of the 

feat] jered minstrels, whose happy, cheerful voices accord with the 

thp ilinf T a nTi S u eS j S T® Went j° gging on our wa y rejoicing, singing to 
the tune of “ Old Hundred ” and “ Way down South in Dixie.” S 

Innrl - of! Urn , ^ and give you a brief sketch of our travels “ by sea and 
fte ^ leaving y° u 80 unceremoniously at Tiptonville on the 15th of 
2 7 passmg over many scenes and incidents connected with our journey 

interp^^r V- m T ° Ty ’ but noting oihers that may be of som^ 

West 1 1 th ° Se haVmS fnends in the department of the Great Army of the 

After remaining at Tiptonville until Friday afternoon, 4 o’clock we were 

vfcTn n itvof er Fort 0 pTn ^ T' t0 ^ ** e ^ ° f 

vicinity ot rort Pillow, hour companies of our right wing—A, D F and I 

were transported on board the steamers “ Sam Gaiy ” and “ Spread Eaqle ” 

iffanflviTr ba ru Ce °f* 8 ® ighth Wisconsin > and a portion of the 2d Mich- 

Jl y S ., x J on St. McLellan ” when, at precisely four o’clock of that 

day, we set sail doivn stream. The weather was warm and pleasant having 

made theThtw°V ram ™ the morning > which purified the atmosphere, and 
made the thick foliage of the trees on shore look fresh and green 4 few 

these h e rJ,f 0nVlI : e passe , d ,he Missouri line into Arkansas.’ Along 
m and oHr whi^T 7 ’ S ? arsel y Bettled ' abounding in swamps and marsh? 
hills \ t, the then nreV^t °f 8 alter the sun goes behind the distant 

At , th ? t 11611 Present stage of high water, the country alone the Ten- 
nessee and Arkansas was nearly inundated, houses, barns, and fences were 
under water, and the inhabitants were fleeing from the hopeless scene in 
small boats, on rafts, and in wild confusion' to some more elevated locality 

1°™%:°° ° ^ y \ takin8 With them a honsehZ g „ods-?heTihfoi: 

S, pifeS and babies ! not forgetting to take along with them about half a 
dozen dogs to make up the compliment of household pets / In one place as 
we passed on down the river, we came across another family of “NoaVs ” 
ti^d S iHH nSCOnCed tLe * r floatlDg dom mil, with their only cow, (probably ’) 

’ though w/fcu them - and ,h ° most laughable of all 

charmin^littlililfr their misfort »ue,) upon the rear of this raft sat a 

^ornT/ingt ?:L^T:r 8 ;;r..Br^fci ou iramni, },a “ d a v ar , ° f 

IZVl IT* s , ubmcr « ed > and its occupants had taken "refuge in tlH 
"; lnd0W ° f Which at !east “half a dozen heads were Vro 
situation “K« . wa . ltm S fo . r s °“ e 011e to oome and redeye their distressed 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


89 


to relieve the minds of those who imagine we are still in that locality, I will 
simply state, that we were then again ordered back up the river, and after 
arriving at New Madrid on the 18th, learned that our destination was up the 
10-i-c. At New Madrid we remained over night, and took on some trans¬ 
portation, starting the next morning on our splendid steamer, which passed 
every other boat on the river. Two miles above we passed a large sunken 
steamer; this boat was on its way to Island No. 10, with over $50,000 worth 
of ammunition for the rebels at that point, a few days before New Madrid 
was taken. The pilot on board was a Union man, and he run the boat on a 
bar in the river and sunk her. He did not succeed in escaping to our lines 
bnt was captured by the rebels, and is now a prisoner in irons in their 
hands. {So said a deserter from Island No. 10.) 

We passed Island No. 10 at noon, where we had a tine view of the exten¬ 
sive fortifications; both on the Island and on the main land; they are im¬ 
mense ! For miles along the river, opposite the Island, nothing but fortifi¬ 
cations meet the eye. They are all mounted by cannon of the largest size, 
and commanding the river for miles above. The Island is about a mile in 
length, and quite narrow; it is high and dry above the river, and covered 
with trees; most of them, however, have been cut down by the rebels to 
build fortifications. The Island was also strongly fortified with logs and 
sand. I counted at least 150 guns on the Island fortifications, and main 
land, many of which were dismounted and were lying around over the 
ground. Also saw the identical guns that were spiked by the brave men of 
the gunboat “ Carondolet ” on the eventful night when she ran the blockade, 
and also the position our gunboats and mortars occupied for many days. 
We passed on, after giving three hearty cheers for the boys of the 15th Wis¬ 
consin, in charge of matters at the Island. 

We were hardly settled down again in the cabin of our boat, when the cry 
came, “ We are in sight of Hickman.” Stepping out on deck we passed it 
on the Kentucky shore at our right. It is a small town of about 1,000 in¬ 
habitants, I should judge, before the war broke out; is situated on a side 
hill, though many of the buildings near the shore were under water. It is 
an admirable location for a town, the land rising gradually back over the 
hill, interspersed with small ravines and covered with beautiful trees, be¬ 
neath the branches of which white cottages are seen peeping out into day¬ 
light. A few companies of soldiers are stationed at this point, who, as our 
steamer glided on, sent up three rousing cheers, that made the hills ring. 
Our swiftly gliding steamer did not stop for compliments, but kept on her 
course, flowing through the muddy waters of the Mississippi, until an hour 
later brought us in sight of the memorable city of Columbus, the reputed 
Manassas of the West, (all played out,) with its numerous and extensive 
fortifications, mounted with monster cannon, etc. It was raining quite 
lively when we passed this place, therefore had a poor opportunity of sight 
seeing. We saw enough, however, to convince us that (though not so strong 
a place of defence as Island No. 10,) it was evidently a strongly fortified 
point. Its natural advantages were far superior to the Island, being situated 
on a bluff or hill at least 100 feet above the river, upon the top of which the 
rebels had planted cannon; they also had thrown up entrenchments at the 
foot of the bluff and half way up the hill, immediately commanding the river 
for two or three miles. Saw the point where they rolled many of their 
heaviest guns into the river previous to the evacuation, and the trees to which 
was tied the famous Columbus Cable. They seemed to spare no expense or 
labor in making this point one of the strongest for defensive purposes, and 
I cannot conceive why they should have evacuated it so soon. The town of 
Columbus, (or city properly speaking,) is situated a short distance below the 
fortifications, and, w r as in some parts under water—is the terminous of a 
railroad coming in from Memphis, though I do not apprehend there is much 


OPENING- OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


w 


travel or business done upon it at the present Ume. Saw soldiers also at 
this point; they are stationed to guard property, etc. We pushed on, arriving 
at Cairo — twenty miles — at 9 o’clock on Saturday evening. The night 
was dark and dreary, and the rain pouring down in torrents. Here we re¬ 
mained until the next evening (Sunday) at 10 o’clock, when our fleet started 
again up the river. At Cairo, all hands went on shore, only to find the 
town nearly submerged. The river had been rising for several days; it was 
then within one foot of the top of the levee, and the people of the town were 
busily engaged in moving the household goods and effects on to boats and 
cars in anticipation of the coming flood. The barracks the Eighth Wisconsin 
occupied two months ago were ten feet under water. We arrived at Paducah 
about 2 o clock that night—fifty miles; but the night was dark and stormy, 
and the boat did not stop but a short time. Here we left the Ohio river, 
and ascended the Tennessee. Passed Fort Henry about 10 o’clock the next 
(Monday) morning,—(this was on the 20th.) Here we had an opportunity 
of seeing what remains of the old fort, and from which but a short time 
ago we drove the rebels and captured Gen. Tilghman and about one hundred 
of his followers. This fort, like many others built by the rebels, is nothing 
more than earthworks thrown up along the river side, and no wonder it 
C » 1 n °^ s f an d, for it was “built upon the sand.” In the rear of what is 
called the fort, are some twenty or more log huts or barracks, where Gen. 
Tilghman and his staff were taken. The woods near by bear marks of 
heavy cannonading; trees are cut down and the land cleared for many 
acres back and around the fort. This was done by our gunboats during 
the struggle, when they drove the rebels into the woods, who retreated to 
Ponelson, ten miles back on the Cumberland. 

Soon after we passed Fort Henry the storm ceased, and the sun shone out 
warm and pleasant; the woods on the shores looked fresh and green, and as 
we ascended the Tennessee with our gay. bonny little steamer that morn¬ 
ing, she seemed to fly through its clear, blue waters like a feather through 
the air. As the weather grew warmer, and the country more attractive, the 
decks of the steamer McClellan were soon crowded, all anxious to get a view 
of the passing scenes as we swiftly glided on our way. The farther up we 
went, the river became less wide, with high rolling banks, covered with thick 
green foliage. Now comes a high craggy bluff, towering heavenward, then 
a deep winding valley, through which rushes a sparkling cataract, tumbling 
down on to the rock-bound shore of the Tennessee. 


“ Not rural sights alone, but rural sounds, 
Exhilerate the spirit, and restore 
The tone of languid Nature. Mighty winds, 

That sweep the skirt of some far-spreading wood 
Of ancient growth, make music not unlike 
The dash of Ocean on his winding shore. 

And lull the spirit while they fill the mind; 
Unnumbered branches waving in the blast, 

And all their leaves fast fluttering, all at once. 
Nor less composure waits upon the roar 
Of distant floods, or on the softer voice 
Of neighboring fountain, or of rills that slip 
Through the cleft rock, and chiming as they fall 
Upon loose pebbles, loose themselves at length 
In matted grass, that with a livelier green 
Betrays the secret of their silent course.” 


Then comes a slope with a farm house, in the door of which stands an old 
woman, waving her apron at our approach, and numberless noisy urchins 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


91 


are swinging on the old farm gate. No men are to be seen at any of these 
places, and the women still insist upon being “ vidders.” 

Tuesday morning we arrived at Pittsburg Landing, where we remained but 
a short time. Went over a portion of the battle field near the river, where 
the rebels drove our men down the hill on Sunday night. It was a sad 
spectacle to witness, even so long a time after the battle. Saw the graves of 
many of our brave men who fell fighting for the Union; one grave, or pit, 
where 250 men were buried in one heap, the rains of the night before had 
washed away the dirt that covered them, exposing to view portions of arms, 
feet and hands, and in the valley near where our boat landed, I saw a por¬ 
tion of a man’s arm and hand, and in another place a portion of a human 
leg and foot with the shoe on. Back a short distance over the hill, the field 
was covered with dead horses, and the stench arising therefrom was horrible. 
The woods show visible signs of a hard-fought battle. Met with Col. Wood, 
Maj. Ward, and many others of the 14th Wisconsin, who participated in the 
fight; they all give an interesting account of the affair, and are ready to 
take a hand in again, if necessary. The 16th, 17th and 18th Wisconsin were 
al9o on hand, and encamped some distance from the river. It was there we 
first heard the sad news of Gov. Harvey’s death. You have an account of 
the battle, I see, and I will hasten on to our journey’s end. 

After remaining half an hour at Pittsburg, Landing we again embarked 
aboard of the boat, and went up the river five miles, to Hamburg Landing, 
were we disembarked, bidding the steamer McClellan a long farewell, after 
being on board about a week, heartily gratified to once more get on terra 
firma. 

The troops were pouring in by thousands, and already our lines, in three 
columns, extended five miles up and down the river, making fifteen miles if 
brought into one line. Our division landed on the very spot where Beaure¬ 
gard, with 500 rebel cavalry, encamped the night before—none of our troops 
having been as far up as Hamburg before the day our division landed there. 
It was late in the evening of April 20th, when our troops were all on shore. 
Our stores, ammunition, camp equipage, etc., were piled up on the bank of 
the river: Lieut. Col. Robbins, with a small force, remained with them as 
guard, while Maj. Jefferson, with the main portion of the regiment, marched 
out in the darkness of the night, two miles through the woods, into a wild 
uneven country, where the rebel cavalry were known to have been prowling 
a short time before, and yet while the foot prints of their horses were still 
fresh upon the ground. These demons, who are sneaking around through this 
lovely country, desecrating its pure soil, were that night watching through 
the glimmer of the lightning flashes for their victims, who were lying on there 
arms, bivouacked in those woods, and yet they feared nothing. All that long, 
dreary night. Maj. Jefferson stood at his post, cheering the spirits of the 
men under his charge until the dawn of day, when they were marched to 
another and better camping ground, one and a half miles from the village of 
Hamburg and the river. 

We remained encamped one mile south of Hamburg about a week, when 
we advanced five miles farther south, remaining there three nights, and yes¬ 
terday marched to our present encampment, situated six miles from 
Corinth, were it is said Beauregard, with two or three of his friends, are 
waiting to have a game of poker with Gen. Halleck and his friends. Generals 
Halleck, Grant, Buell and Pope, will play against Beauregard, Johnson, Floyd, 
Jeff. Davis & Co., and I will give you the result of the game after it comes off 


92 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


Three Miles from Farmington, Miss , 

May 9, 1862. 

We have liad a fight, and I have just returned from the battle field Yes¬ 
terday morning Gen. Pope’s division—of which we are a part— were ordered 

Aftp? r t^ n f 0n ’’ S1 f m o leS fr °i“ her6 ’ and tW0 and a half this side of Corinth. 
After two hour’s hard marching through the hot sun, with dusty roads we 

reached our destination at 3 o’clock p. m. Our infantry were immediately 

thHown '“o' 16 ° f Y 1116 ’ ° Ver a leVel °P enin S near the woods that skirt 
he town. Our cavalry were sent out to reconnoitre, and find if possible 

where the rebels had taken position, if any such were to be found. (Bv 

minZni’ V V ° Uld mentl0 1 n that the ni S ht Previous to our departure for Far^ 
“ , g ^ oa ’ 1 ^ was currently reported in our camps that Corinth was evacua 
tie tho f u S ht ^ merely a rumor, without foundation, and paid but lit- 

e attention to it, though many thought it might be true.) This battalion 
of cavairy had not been out more than half an hour before a courier came 
«r,f? hlng m P t0 , GeU ' Popes headquarters, stating that his cavalry were cut off 
and couJd not retreat Most of them, however, cut their way J through the 

The leh T’ but . seVeral,1 l 1 80 doin S’ loat their lives > and others were wounded 
The rebel cavalry were 500 strong, and it was almost insanity for our men 

But thev { ab0U i 2 i°°n n all » t0 attem P t t0 cut through so formidable a force’ 
Zh h ^ SUCCeeded a f ter a m ° St des P erate struggle for superiority The 
oufotmT° n -ir an i d ? 6th Illmois > comprising the first brigade, were sent 

their holTs 6 There wa^ th ® W °° dS and hunt th * rebels out of 

fantrvwhii-l. 8 ° me f™ 1 /. going on, both by the artillery and in- 

o the rlr^AT ° eca81ana ^. drive a rebel out, and send him sneaking 
to tlie rear A telegraph is being constructed by our men as fast as we 

ed one mile and a half back, where we bivouacked on a hill at the foot of 

s Wwt*: bs-£ws£ts 

Ksv.ta.2irs;—: ;r 

immmsm 

“ The war cry ceased, but lake and hill, 

Were busy with their echoes still ” 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


93 


and courage without flinching, while many of their comrades were falling 
around them. I heard several eminent officers speaking in high praise of 
the gallant Eighth They have already won laurels in the minds of the 
commanding generals Lieut. Col. Robbins and Major Jefferson displayed 
great coolness and courage while leading the men on through the thickest 
of the fight, while shells were bursting all around them, while our loss was 
four killed and thirty-three wounded. 

Adjutant Sprague also won laurels for his bravery on the field, and the 
company officers all fought gallantly till the last. 

The loss in the ‘26th and 47th Illinois is about equal to ours. The whole 
loss in General Plummer’s brigade, Stanley's division, commissioned officers, 
killed two, wounded two ; enlisted men, killed three; wounded, sixty; mis¬ 
sing four. Total seventy-one. 

I have had a smell of powder and rather confess it is not so agreeable 
when highly flavored with cannon ball. It strikes me forciably that to be 
struck by one of them, would produce rather an unpleasant sensation. 

Col Murphy and Quartermaster Billings arrived in camp this evening 
from St. Louis. 


Farmington, Miss., 

May 24, 1862. 

“ Coming events cast their shadows before.”— Campbell. 

In proof of this, I would cite many little occurrences which are “straws 
showing which way the wind blows,” these, though but of little importance 
of themselves, are yet shadows of great events which 'must transpire ere 
long. Already the hitherto monotonous routine of camp life is relieved by 
little skirmishes, which serve as Monitors to warn us that the contest on 
which hangs the fate of the rebellion, a battle which will be the more terri¬ 
ble from the mighty preparations that have been going on silently yet ra¬ 
pidly, a battle; in comparison with which all other'conflicts which have taken 
place on this continent, will sink into insignificance, and which will take 
rank among the sanguinary engagements which have decided the fate of 
Empires—Austerlitze, Marengo, Waterloo, etc. 

As a gambler often stakes his all on the cast of a die, so the rebels have 
ventured their all on the issue of this engagement, and are d ubtless san¬ 
guine of success. With an enormous army, composed of the very flower of 
the “ Sunny South ”—their boasted chivalry, behind formidable entrench¬ 
ments, which they have had every opportunity to construct, having been 
engaged in their erection ever since their inglorious defeat at Donelson, with 
the ablest general in their army, and attended with the prestige of success, 
it would be indeed, strange if they doubted their ability successfully to con¬ 
tend with the hordes of Lincoln’s minions. 

But, whatever 4 be their opinion on the subject of this coming battle, we 
have been gradually, and steadily approaching the lines of Beauregard’s 
army, and are, at this writing, almost within speaking distance, though not 
on speaking terms with them, and doubtless before this reaches you, w r e will 
have prepared and published to the world, the “ Third Epistle to the Cor¬ 
inthians! ” This Epistle will be sent by one of the co-laborers of Paul— 
Peter, not the redoubtable Cephas, but —Salt Petrel and in conjunction with 
a “ bull ” which will be promulgated sometime by a certain Pope , will have a 
salutary effect. 

For a great many evils, war is said to be an inf-llible remedy. Certain it 
is, that it is either kill or cure. I do not know whether the effect of the po- 



94 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


tion be always the same, but they certainly have been terrible here. This 
otherwise fertile country is beginning to assume the appearance of a wilder¬ 
ness, so terrible has been the desolation. The farms are rapidly being strip¬ 
ped of their rails, and the ground that was plowed and laid out for the 
spring planting, has not received its seed. The inhabitants have fled in wild 
confusion to parts unknown, and their houses, which are constructed prin¬ 
cipally of logs, jointed together, have been torn down to be used in building 
fortifications. 

This, in time of peace and prosperity, must be a beautiful country. Even 
now, viewed from the ridge in front of our encampment, the prospect is ad¬ 
mirable. The surface is undulating, and just enough of the timber has been 
left unfelled to relieve the eye and diversify the scenery, with field:, groves 
and wood-covered hills. The climate is warm, yet not oppressive, and the 
nights are beautifully clear and balmy, so that I can hardly help imagining 
myself under the sunny skies and soft cTme of Italy. Vegetation is very 
far advanced, the peaches are half grown and the cherries almost ripe. 

We have here a brave army, composed almost entirely of Western men. 
They are men who compose the bone and sinew of the Nation—the hardy, 
intelligent farmers of the Northwest. There are not more than three thou¬ 
sand “ Regulars ” in this entire army, and the rest are men who have left 
their all to battle in defence of their country’s rights, and nobly will they 
perform their task. An army of such men is irresistable, and Gen. Halleck 
may be proud to command the ‘ Army of the West,” an army, whose ma¬ 
terial has never been equalled by any other nation in the world. 

Gen. Halleck’s army is divided into three distinct departments, called 
‘ Army Corps; ” The First, forming our right, is the “ Army of the Ten¬ 
nessee,” commanded by Gen. Grant ; the Second, our centre, the “ Army 
of the Ohio,’; commanded by Gen. Buell; and the Third, our left, the 
“Army of the Mississippi,” commanded by Gen. Pope. The Eighth’Wis¬ 
consin is in Gen. Pg'pe’s Department, in the First Brigade, Second Division. 
Gen. J. B. Plummer commands the Brigade, and Gen. Stanley the Division 

Of Gen. Plummer.— He graduated from West Point with honors in 181!,* 
and since that time has constantly been employed on the frontier, from Fort 
Sneiling to the mouth of the Rio Grande. He took an active part in Scott’s 
campaign in Mexico, and was promoted for meritorious conduct. 

Our pickets on the right had quite a lively little skirmish with the rebels 
on the i9th, which resulted in the capture of 8t)0 of the “ secesh ” They 
have been attempting to plant batteries in the woods near our front bu‘t 
have not succeeded thus far, for all such attempts will not be tolerated by 
our forces. A thick wood on this side prevents us seeing the -‘varmits’* 
but from an observatory on the top of a tree, we can look over into the 
toT ™; . We Can distinctl y hear the whistling of the cars, on the “ Mobile 
and Ohm Railroad,” night and day running into Corinth. They are evi¬ 
dently preparing tor some great work, which will be revealed before many 


I sent you a list of t he casualties that occurred in the skirmish on the 9th 
two in lies in rear of this place Those of the wounded are convalescent, and 
he dead were buned in an appropriate manner. Capt. Peruin’s body was 
taken to Hamburg and buried near the river, and the others were buried 
back near our last camp. They all fought, nobly on that occasion, doins 
honor to their country and the cause that impelled them to leave their own 
home circles, tut they fell while discharging their duty, and the country 
will mourn their loss. W e followed them to their last resting place, and sad 
were our thoughts as we lingered o’er their graves Iona alter the painful 
Ceremony was over. Involuntarily the appropriate lines of “8ir Walter 
fecott came to our mind i 


fy 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN TIIE SOUTHWEST. 


95 


“ Soldier, rest! thy warfare o’er, 

Sleep the sleep that knows no breaking; 

Dream of battle fields no more, 

Days of danger, nights of waking. 

* Soldier, rest! thy warfare o’er, 

Dream of fighting fields no more; 

Sleep the sleep that knows no breaking, 

Morn of toil, nor nights of waking. 

No rude sound shall reach thine ear, 

Armor’s clang or war-steed champing, 

Trump nor pibroach summon here 

Mustering clan, or squadron tramping. 

Yet, the lark’s shrill fife may come 
At the daybreak from the fallow, 

And the bittern sound his drum 
Booming from the sedgy shallow. 

Ruder sounds shall none be near, 

Guards nor warders challenge here, 

Here’s no war-steeds neigh and champing, 

Shouting clans or squadrons tramping.” 

Twenty-five rebels came into our camp a few days ago and gave them¬ 
selves up, stating that their whole regiment would do the same, but were 
afraid our pickets would fire on them, if they came to our lines in a body. 
One of the twenty-five has returned to Corinth and will probably bring in 
the balance of his regiment. This shows conclusively that they have but 
little faith in the rebel Beauregard and his army. Yesterday afternoon two 
rebel regiments, dressed in our regular uniform, which they probably cap¬ 
tured at the battle of Shiloh, started out with the expectation of deceiving 
the “Yankee.” but result shows, although they had on the Yankee clothes, 
they lacked the Yankee shrewdness to cairy out their designs, for while 
one of these regiments started in one direction towards a portion of our line, 
the other came out in another direction. It appears they soon became 
tangled up shortly after, and commenced pitching into each other in double 
quick time, and not until they had slain about sixty on both sides, did they 
discover that they were all rebels, and were killing their own men ! 

Mrs Major Reynolds, lately promoted Major by the Governor of Illinois, 
and whose charming face has been gracing the columns of the Illustrated 
papers for some time back, illumined our camp with her fascinating smile a 
few days ago Sbe is said to be a very superior lady and is an officer, but 
does not wear the strap on her shoulder, nor the leof of rank. 

In one of the Michigan Cavalry Regiments, the 2d, 1 believe, is a Vtvandiere y 
or “Daughter of the Regiment,” who is mounted on a beautiful black steed, 
and accompanies the regiment, on the match. She wears a military hat 
with plume—a belt encircles her delicate waist, to which is attached a brace 
of pistols, together with all the equipments, i-he is exceedingly handsome 
and attractive, and one smile from her pretty face would kill the whole of 
Beau regard’s army. 

Reporters have been numerous in these parts; at least fifty of them, rep¬ 
resenting many of the leading journals of the day, accompanied the at my 
as far as our last camp, when Gen. Ilalleck issued an order excluding all 
citizens and stragglers, from following the army further, and they turned 
their course northward, sweating vengeance upon the head of the com* 
manding general. We have telegraph communication to this place, 


06 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


An old lady, not many miles from our encampment, I know not her name, 
and it matters not, but who is noted for her rabid secession proclivities, is 
guilty of getting ofi the following, while in conversation with one of our 
Wisconsin boys—“I declare! I really hope it will rain, so you Yankees can’t 
bring your gunboats over here! ” 

The 5th Minnesota- Volunteers‘was attached to our brigade yesterday, 
h f e ^ U °S Wes . te ™ troo P 8 ’ win 8tand fire - Col. Murph/has com- 

nt°ll w- tirst . De ?;^ gade J in Gen. Plummer’s command, consisting 
ot the 8th Wisconsin, 5th Minnesota and 74th Illinois Volunteers-all good 
fighting regiments. Major Jefferson has been quite unwell for sometime, 
but we are m hopes he may soon recover from his illness and rejoin hLs 


Camp Clear Creek, Miss., June 27, 1862. 
This has been one of warmest days of the season—the heat extremely op- 
P o r ' lnsafiera J le - Thermometre stood 110 in the shade at'noon 

nn'lt fhp f d ’ ° h ’ h °^ 1 ha J e ^ eea lon g in g f or some cooling beverage, such as 
only the frozen regions of the North can produce. I have sought my tent 

wmTrv IndZ C ° at ’ neC , ktie “ d , b ° 0tS ’ h ° piD S t0 find * A now 

tlidVof nZi . k K ?°° as th ® Iaw and the olimate allow. While the multi- 

WdMus formJ«on U T g n ar ■“ “J T5 a ” d innumerabI o varmints of most 
hideous formation, of all sizes and shades, are running riot over my paper 

and crawling up my sleeves. I am content so long as they do noHrespass 

nfTH t ^K Se f lnk ^ lm K 1 S; f ° r 1 kn0W tlie P rintera will curse the author instead 
of attributing the blame to the pesky varmints, when they come to decipher 
this manuscript. But enough of this harrangue. aecipber 

lou are probably anxious to hear of some daring exploit that we have 

rtMl^^V^ ° f ° U V eeth ’” else there would benoTLrest 

wWi , f G^ 00111 ’ 86 the news of some great battle recently taken place 

bv manv 0n °T Part b ®. victor y or d ^eat, is anxiously looked for 

fife hS- d tbe . more heartrending the scene, and the more blood spilled 

quietly and 

iouitv all Wh™ll, hear hf cd ’ and are Starving in ,hc <*ens of rebellion and in- 
grand stand, the Cl 

rth°es f ;„? Ld r=r:s 

to be 

magnify facts, and to go into detail of matters that never transpired 

Zly ^ rSTn ge thisEden dr ° P ^ The^e Ire too 

favoLle movement fotrdl S 



TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


97 


otic and are half inclined to enlist in the service of their country. 13ut the 
acounts in the papers picture too much horror and destitution for their 
feeble nerves to withstand for the amount of pay, and they re-resolve to 
remain at home under their mother’s apron strings, or lounge about the 
streets of their favorite town, rather than hazard their precious lives on the 
battle field. Old women get nervous over their knitting and accumulate a 
vast amount of Macaboy while scanning through their spectacles the latest 
war dispatches, and wonder why the poor soldier should be compelled to 
‘ suffer so much,” All of which annoyance at home in caused by these sen¬ 
sation articles written by “ special correspondents! ” For this reason alone 
I have been prone to discontinue until this late hour. So many conflicting 
accounts, even of our battle before Corinth, have been given, t’would puzzle 
the brain of the clearest headed man or woman to form any accurate idea of 
the facts, and as a truthful writer states, “these reports were mostly coined 
m our rear.” They were not all “eye witnesses of the fight,” as some of 
these letters were known to have been written the day previous! to the fight, 
and pictured as best to suit the anxious multitude at home—exciting, and 
eloquent in their tenor and'worthy of a better cause than thus deluding the 
nervous and superstitious ones at home. 

These writers all seem to be rivals, and each one is anxious to send in his 
report in advance of the other, whether they savor of truth it matters not, 
so long as they get well paid for it—it leaves room for more controversy 
through the columns of each of their favorite journals, thereby adding new 
lustre to their already distinguished cognomens. These hirelings of the press, 
who have been prowling through the army, are desirous of making an im¬ 
perishable reputation, (I think they are accomplishing it.) Soldiers keep a 
close watch of your ration—the enemy are still among us ! “ We Journalists ” 
arc the men of the age ! happy are we in the belief that we are ‘pum somkins /’ in 
the estimation of the reading classes on this continent. We will administer to our 
comfort, and add new laurels to our renown.” 

Old women, resume your knitting—politicians your wire-pulling—loungers 
your daily avocations, and ardent “luvyers,” who have “heart sweets” in 
j the army, do not let these airy sensation articles deceive you, but trust in 
an Over-ruling Providence, that he, in whom your dearest affections are 
centred, is doing his duty to his country, and will some day return to you 
bearing laurels, when you can seat youbself by his side, and listen as he 
relates to you his adventures and exploits in search of the elephant, that 
these “ special correspondents” have never yet had an opportunity of see¬ 
ing. Future historians will, I apprehend, be somewhat puzzled when they 
come to write a history of this rebellion. 

So many changes have been made in the reorganization of this army, and 
the location of our troops, that I have neglected to keep the run of matters. 
The life of a soldier in the field is so monotous, that days of the week, dates 
of the month, and even the year, are nearly forgotten. Since our chaplain 
left, (who is home on a furlough,) our Sundays too have disappeared, and 
were it not for the newspapers that come teeming into our camps daily by 
the wagon loads, at ten cents each, and the letters we receive from home 
occasionally, we would be entirely in a state of nonentity! 

I believe my last was written at Farmington a few days previous to tho 
evacuation of Corinth. In that letter, I believe I prophesied that we would 
soon publish to the world the “Third Epistle to the Corinthians .” In this I 
was mistaken, and so w r as the boy that stuck his finger in the fire. I had 
good reason for believing, and it was the prevailing opinion of the military 
generals, that there would be fought the most terrible battle this continent 
had ever known. Though I presume, before I had prophesied so wrongfully, 

I ought to have paid Mr. Beauregard a visit and ascertained what ideas he 

7 


9 


OPENING OE THE MISSISSIPPI; OK 


entertained of the matter—if he thought there would be much of a battle— 
as did Mr. Noah in his traveling show boat, while passing Mount Ararat, 
discovering a Yankee sitting on a herring box whittling, he asked him if he 
thought there would be much of a shower. ‘‘I reckon,” was the reply. 
And so Beauregard might have informed me, that “ he reckoned there was a 
right smart chance” for a fight. 

You have doubtless seen all the varying accounts of the fight, therefore I 
will not weary the patience of your readers with a lengthy detail of what has 
been noted by many more able writers than myself. I will state, however-, in 
justice to the Wisconsin Eighth, who participated in the fight, that none stood 
up to their work better, or fought more gallantly, and who exhibited more 
coolness upon that eventful occasion, than did our gallant Eighth. 

I will cite to the accompanying extract from Gen. Stanley’s report of the 
fight, on the 28th of May before Corinth : “ Seeing matters becoming criti¬ 

cal and fearing the loss of two of Maurice’s guns, I sent an order for Gen. 
Tyler to support with his whole brigade, but before the order reached him, 
the matter was decided by the prompt and soldier-like action of Col. Murphy 
of the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment, a regiment I would commend to the at¬ 
tention of the general commanding. Concealing themselves near a crest 
they moved close to the advancing mass of the enemy, who were flushed 
with success in compelling the desertion of two of our guns, and within fif¬ 
ty yards poured in such a volley as cleared the enemy from the open ground 
and sent the survivors flying to cover.” 

They have already won lasting laurels for their bravery and soldierly con¬ 
duct on the battle field, and have proven themselves not inferior to any of 
the troops that have left, the State. They have established an inestimable 
reputation in military circles, and have received the highest encomiums from 
our commanding generals. 

On the 30th of May, the rebels having evacuated their position at Cor¬ 
inth, fleeing in different directions by various railroads running out of that 
town, Gen. Pope’s army immediately started in pursuit in a southerly direc¬ 
tion, leaving Corinth two miles to our right, consequently we had no oppor¬ 
tunity of seeing the town or examining their fortifications, which are said to 
be immense. We marched out about six miles under a boiling sun, through 
the dust, and encamped for the night by the road-side near where was situ¬ 
ated some rebel fortifications and the rui^s of a sece 3 h camp, which they 
had demolished the night previous, by fire. Here the destruction of proper¬ 
ty was immense. Tents, clothing, provisions and every conceivable thing 
about their camp was consigned to the flames, probably to prevent its fall¬ 
ing into our hands. I saw, in one pile, over fifty new wagons, partially 
burned, we, however, arrived in time to secure from the firey element sever¬ 
al barrels of sugar, and a few barrels of molasses, together with many mus¬ 
kets, and some camp furniture, near by. Several of their men had died, and 
so hasty was their flight, they had neglected to bury these bodies, and there 
we found them without any covering save a blanket, where they had lain 
probably for several days exposed to the rays of a scorching sun. They 
knew that, the Yankees would soon be along, and as we have more respect 
for their dead than their living we would bury them, which we did. 

Our march extended to within a few miles ot Boonville, where we remain¬ 
ed until about two weeks ago, when we were ordered back to our present 
encampment at Clear Creek, five miles south from Corinth, with a fair pros¬ 
pect of sojourning in this locality for some time to come 

The army of the Mississippi has been reorganized so many times within 
the past two months, it is with difficulty that we can locate ourselves with 
accuracy. 

We are having very good living these days. Aside from our regular ra¬ 
tions of hard crackers, ham, beans, rice, coffee, tea, sugar, etc., we have men 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


99 


foraging constantly, who bring in butter, eggs, chickens and vegetables 
of all kinds, which we are paying high prices for in order to keep the mar- 
e running. Blackberries are abundant, and a general order was issued 
to-day detailing fifty privates, in charge of a commissioned officer, from each 
regiment daily to gather them. This kind of “fatigue duty ” will suit the 
men. Hurrah for the blackberries and cream of soldiering. Fruit of all 
kinds is nearly ripe, but I will venture to state that not a great amount of it 
wi 1 ever arrive at maturity, so long as the boys dare eat it when it is 
yet green. I have already had a taste of ripe pears, new potatoes, string, 
beans and peas, and a new dish lately discovered to be quite palateable 
“ahgatoreggs ” smothered in mush and molasses! “Lor me ! ” says an old 
lady, “what next won’t the Yankee boys invent. No wonder so mam/ of the 
soldiers get down with that horrid summer complaint! ” 

A bright appearing negro, as black as “ Egyptian darkness,” came into 
camp to-day direct from Beauregard’s army, lie states that they will nev¬ 
er make another stand, and will leave that part of the country if our forces 
advance in that direction; Says they have scarcely anything to eat, and are 
becoming greatly demoralized and disheartened at their recent losses. Be¬ 
sides other valuable information, lie confirms the report that Price was about 
starting with 20,000 men for Western Missouri. We have quite a number 
of negroes who have come into our camps, and are employed as cooks and 
servants. Most of them are a worthless, indolent set of beings, too lazy to 
cook their own meals—they prefer rather to lop down,sleep most of the 
time and go without anything to eat. They seem to feel that they are fast 
depreciating in value, and thus show their utter worthlessness. 

This seems to be a 'favorable time for officers to procure furloughs, and 
they are availing themselves of it. Gen. Pope is absent to seethe babies 
perhaps, and Gen. Rosecrans has taken the big arm chair, and is officiating 
in his absence. Gen. Plummer has taken wings and flown to America; his 
A. A. General, Capt. Clark, having gone to some northern clime on sick leave. 
Gen. Tyler, heretofore acting in this division, has also evaporated into some 
other state to recruit, and among those absent from our brigade on fur¬ 
loughs (several in consequence of sickness) are Col. Bryner, 47th Ill volun¬ 
teers; Col. Loomis, and Major Gilmore, of 2t5th Ill., the latter slightly wound¬ 
ed in the fight on the 28th. Of the Eighth Wisconsin, Lieut. Col. Robbins 

and Major Jefferson—the latter of whom went home quite sick_Capt 

Young, sick leave; Capt Conger and Lieut. Webster, Co. B ; Lieut. Baker 
Co. A, and Lieutenants Beach and Berry, Co. F, also Lieut. Gilbert, Co E* 
have resigned and gone home. * ’ 

Schools have been established at the various wing, division and brigade 
headquarters for the instruction of military among the officers. We have 
an elegant school house in our door yard, constructed of bushes and poles 
where the officers of this brigade congregate daily to recite their lessons! 
Col. Murphy is schoolmaster. 

An order has been issued detailing two lieutenants and four non-commis¬ 
sioned officers or privates from each regiment on recruiting service, who will 
immediately start for their various states on that duty. Now will be an op¬ 
portunity for the patriotic young men of Wisconsin to enlist in the service 
of their country. Let them enroll their names as speedily as possible under 
her banner and come out and join their comrades in arms. Flock to the 
standard of the gallant Eighth, whose eagle wings will protect you from the 
bullets of the enemy on every battlefield 

It is now midnight, and I have exausted the only tallow candle in my 
quarters, and for fear I may exhaust the patience of your readers, we will 
“call quits,” and I will retire to the arms of Morpheus. 


100 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OK 


Camp Clear Creek, Army of the Miss., 

July 10, 1862. 

After several weeks of uninterrupted silence, I again write you from the 
land of secession and rebellion—of lizards, snakes and varmints, by the 
millon—of silly, sneaking, men of puny cast, who stroll about our camps 
unfearful of arrest. With produce from the country, they rob us of our 
“quarters,” while grandmas at home keep an eye on the daughters. These 
“ secesh” belles, withylark and flashing eyes, denounce the Yankee soldiery, 
and all they state, as lies. Of niggers, black as night, and darker still, roam 
through our camp, fearless and at will, and laugh to see the Union boys 
raising such a bubble, when they, as massa tells them, are the cause of all 
the trouble. 

“All is quiet to-day on the Tuscumbia,” and it is impossible to find any 
one to pick a quai’rel with. Our enemies have flown to parts unknown; our 
field pieces—howitzers and Parrotts—are holding their tongues through this 
warm weather, but which have done their share of blowing in the army, and 
have now retired on recruiting service, but will be brought out again when 
the occasion requires sound talkers. Our muskets are hanging on our cabin 
walls, and the excessive heat of the past week has compelled us to retire for 
a while from the busy scenes of life, and seek some shady nook, where, free 
from toil and care, the swarming multitude of flies cannot annoy us. These 
are the only enemies we have to contend with at the present writing, and if 
the secesh army possessed half the pluck and courage these infernal flies do, 
they might soon gain their independence. So formidable an array of these 
unwelcome visitors is enough to mar the patience of Job. But it is said that 
“ one evil follows another,” and that “ misery likes company.” This asser¬ 
tion I verily believe to be true, for when the heat is almost insufferable, you 
are tormented continually with flies buzzing around your ears, and with bugs 
crawling up your boot leg, or something worse. Of all the vexations inci¬ 
dent to the life of a soldier in this climate, these cap the climax_their tor¬ 

ture is excruciating, and the only method we can adopt, to spare even our 
bones, is to act on the defensive, when they come out to make an attack upon 
us in force. The plan which I have devised for my own special safety, and 
found to wmrk admirably, is to place a drop of molasses on the end of your 
nose, lie down in the sun, and await the arrival of the enemy. The molasses 
will draw them out—-they attack you in your front, you then immediatelv 
throw out your arms and flank them on the right and left wings, thus drawl¬ 
ing their main force to the centre, when they will immediately make a 
desperate break for your nasal organ, whereupon, it is the imperative duty 
of every soldier to understand the next movement, and to keep an eye single 
to the glory attending his success—just as the enemy are about to make their 
last, final dash to capture the prize, you suddenly throw open wide your 
mouth, and the day is yours! They have such a dread of masked batteries , 
they will turn in wild confusion, leaving you “monarch of all you survey ! ” 
In cases of emergency, where niggers are not available, this method of de¬ 
stroying the enemy is adopted. When the supply of molasses is exhausted 
nothing can be resorted to but humble submission, with the conviction in 
your mind that it is all for your beloved country and the indomitable nigger 
you are compelled to endure all these trials and perplexities. 

I am studying bugology —have quite a collection of various kinds of var¬ 
mints of all colors, sizes and formation, which I intend sending you at the 
earliest possible moment. Think they will be very attractive in your sanctum 
sanctorum; and admired by the “ big bugs” who call to see the editor. 

The white population in this region do not pretend to labor through the 
hot season, and I am of the belief that they cannot endure the scorching sun 
of July, August and September. The men are all a sickly, puny appearing 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


101 


class, pale and haggard in expression, lacking that energy and ambition 
which characterizes the Northerner. So it is with the young men of this 
country. Boys not more than ten and twelve years of age, look, act and 
have the appearancb generally of men of thirty and forty. The “ fair sex” 
in these parts are not very prepossessing either in their manners or conver¬ 
sation. They are void of the roseate hue of health and beauty which so 
much adorns our Northern belles, and while they lack modesty and refine¬ 
ment, they are rough, uncouth, illiterate and indolent, 

I have not yet seen in my travels a school house, though they claim they 
had schools, as one old darky told me, « afore de army brok out! ” It has 
also been proclaimed at the North, that one-third of‘the population of the 
South were Union in heart. 1 admit that there are many in sentiment since 
our grand army came among them, though I have as yet failed to discover, 
on our marches, half a dozen who are actually and emphatically Union at 
heart. Many of these Southern dupes profess great devotion to the old stars 
and stripes, but would not to-day come out and help to defend the old flag 
which has floated triumphantly over their “Sunny South,” their once peace¬ 
ful homes, and which they should have revered and respected instead of 
trampling its sacred folds in the dust. Many of them claim that they were 
pressed into the rebel service, and were in Beauregard’s army at Corinth 
when the grand “skedaddle” came off on the 29th of May last, but escaped 
to their homes instead of following the army, because they despised their 
cause. This may be the case of some, as Jeff. Davis’ conscription act forced 
many into the service who were not able to do any great amount of fighting, 
but only to help to swell their numbers, and encourage the balance to des¬ 
peration, deeds of crime and devastation. 

“ Butternut” clothing, once so prevalent among the secesh in these parts, 
has been replaced by white cotton pants and white shirts. This is indeed a 
relief to the Northern soldier, for the “butternuts,” as the boys call them, 
had become so obnoxious it was almost impossible to treat the men that wore 
it with any respect whatever. They are becoming Unionized so far as mak¬ 
ing money out of us is concerned. Their produce w'hich they bring into camp 
brings a good price. Butter, eggs, chickens, milk, blackberries, etc., are at 
high rates, and the demand exceeds the supply. The boys will pay their last 
cent for a pound of butter or a quart of milk. Butter sells readily at forty 
cents per pound, and milk twenty-five cents per quart. Blackberries have 
been plenty and selling at eighteen cents per quart, but are now getting 
scarce. They are very suspicious that the “Yankees” will cheat them, and 
they consider our “greenbacks” of less value than the Confederate scrip. 

On Sunday, the 29th of June, our brigade was ordered to proceed to Ripley, 
forty-five miles South, to support Gen. Hamilton. We started at G, p. m., 
(one hour after receiving the order,) marched four miles, to Danville, and 
halted for the night. Early next morning we started again and marched 
seven and a half miles, and halted in the suburbs of the village of Rienza, on 
the very ground that Gen. Pillow and staff occupied only a month before, 
when he so disgracefully deserted his men at Donelson. (The secesh have 
lost all confidence in him.) Here we were mustered for pay, which was more 
pleasant to your humble servant than being peppered by the enemy. While 
the brigade was resting in the shade of the forest, Col. Murphy received an 
order from Gen. Rosecrans to return with his command to camp, and back 
we started, arriving here at daylight the next morning. So much for this 
unprofitable trip. I was fortunate in procuring a second-hand mule, whose 
age entitled him to a pension, and should have been placed on the retired 
list, but some cruel wretch had branded him with “U. S.,” consequently 
there was no rest for Mr. Mule, and mounted oh my gay charger, muley and 
t brought up the rear of our grand column when we returned through 
Rienza. While on the march, feeling somewhat fatigued from ridiDg through 


102 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


the heat and dust, and over exertion in endeavoring to coax my steed along, 
(for any one that knows the nature of a mule will testify to their stubborn¬ 
ness—that they will go as well backward as forward,) I reined up by the 
roadside near a secesh house, dismounted and proceeded to the old log 
domicile, which had the appearance of having been built on or about the time 
the Pilgims landed on Plymouth Rock, with its dilapidated chimneys run¬ 
ning up on the outside of the gable ends, from the ground; with its moss 
covered roof and ivy-twined porches, all of which looked so attractive that 
I could not pass by without calling to present my compliments to a charming 
rebel-ee swinging on the gate, and who I fancied, from the irresistible sweet 
expression she wore, was anticipating the arrival of your correspondent. 
Entering this domicile, followed closely by Miss Jerusha, (for that I found to 
be her name,) I called for a drink of water. They “had no well, but Mr. 
bnooks, half a mile back, had a good spring. 5 ’ This was consoling, sure. 1 
called for something to eat. • Had no pies, no cakes, no nothing. The sold¬ 
iers, they said had bought everything they had cooked half an hour before. 

1 asked if they had cows. The old lady said they were the owners of tw'o 
cows and a heifer; the latter Beauregard’s men had killed a week before, 
and one of her cows gave but a “pint of milk,” (that was the p(o)int I was 
after,) just enough for tea and coffee for her and the old man, but thought 
m . about, a week, when the moon changed again, “ tother cow,” which she 
said she had raised from a yearling, would “come in.” I concluded not to 
wait that long, and feeling somewhat indignant towards the old lady for the 
indifference she manifested in my behalf, I mounted a chair and commenced 
making a speech. With profound eloquence I measured the depth of the 
iuscumbia—soared aloft into yonder hen roost—pictured the bright and 
glowing colors, the emblem of the Southern Confederacy, and the chivalry of 
the “Sunny South,” her brave sons now contending in mortal combat with 
their Northern foe—fighting, bleeding upon the battle field for their homes, 
heir fire-sides, and sweethearts. Told the old lady that my sympathies were 

with them—that, the mothers and daughters of the South were the sufferers_ 

that the loss of her heifer , by George, should be avenged. At the conclusion 
of my remarks, the old cat and dog made a desperate dash through the open 
window. Jerusha was sound asleep, and the old lady was in tears! I had 
aroused her sympathy to such a pitch, she immediately ordered Jerusha to 
go out and milk the “ brindle cow ” She obeyed, and I went along to as¬ 
sist ber ; while 1 held the cow by the horns against the fence, Jerush did the 
milking. The old cow gave just a pint of milk (and that was the p(o)int 1 
was alter,) which was quite refreshing, after making such an eloquent speech 
tor the benefit of the old lady—and the milk! It would be vain in me to 
attempt to give a graphic description of the charming Miss Jerush! so fascin¬ 
ating and so exquisite was she in every feature, and so graceful in her man- 
ners. She has red hair, a freckled face, and calico eyes, and as she bade me 
* good bye at the gate, 1 discovered, but too late, that she was an ardent 
lover of— onions! 

. } ester day we were visited with a slight sprinkling of rain, which was 
indeed refreshing, and it was preceded by the most terrific thunder and 
lightning that could be imagined; it seemed as if the whole artillery of 
heaven had broke loose at once, and, the most remarkable sight of all the 
sky m the west was clear and the sun was shining brightly. 

The Eighth regiment is in fine condition, compared with many other re«-i- 
ments in this army; the sickness has been less, and deaths are less frequent 
m our brigade than m many others since the hot season has set in, owing 
probably, to the proper and efficient policing and cleanliness of our camp 
and the systematic arrangement in cooking the food. Our officers ever 
diligent to guard the health and promote the best interests of the men at 
this time, expel everything from camp that is likely to breed disease. 


|TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


103 


The officers detailed by Gen. Ilalleck from the Eighth regiment, on recruit¬ 
ing service, are Lieut. A. E. Smith, of K Co.; Lieut. Chas. P. King, G Co.; 
Sergt. F. Schmidtmeyer, C Co.; Sergt. II. Hopkins, A Co.; Sergt. C. Boughton, 
D Co.; and Sergt. S. Ellsworth, II Co., who start to-morrow morning for Wis¬ 
consin to enter upon the discharge of their duties. 

Now is the time for the patriotic young men of the Badger State to come 
out and show their colors. Let them avail themselves of this opportunity of 
enlisting in defense of their country. Read the history of the Gallant 
Eighth, who have already won laurels on the battle field, and whose repu¬ 
tation, this day, stands emblazoned on the highest pinnacle of fame. Flee 
to the standard of the Union —-join your comrades in arms, and help to put 
down these infamous destroyers of our peaceful homes. The heart of this 
beautiful Eden of America is being stung by the poisonous vipers of hell, 
who have supped from the public crib until they have drained it of its sweetest 
production. This Government, which has sustained and supported them for 
centuries, is now being polluted by their degrading and unholy designs. 
This has been brought upon us by political chicanery. Flee to the rescue, 
ye gallant sons of the North! whose mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, and 
lovers look to you for protection. 


Camp Clear Creek, Miss., 

Tuesday, August 6, 1862. 

The usual routine of camp life at Clear Creek l^as not been disturbed by 
any occurrence worthy of note since the date of may last letter. No bat¬ 
tles have been fought, no victories won, no defeats encountered; and no 
brilliant achievements of personal valor have I to record, or promotions to 
make for meritorious conduct on the bloody field of battle ; have no appoint¬ 
ments to make or vacancies to fill; no commissions to give, and no goose 
quill to sign the parchment of honor for the aspiring goslings in the several 
armies of this vast dominion ; am no aspirant for office, and could not con¬ 
sistently fill a seat in Congress without great injury to my constituents. Am 
under many obligations to the Sanitary Committee in Wisconsin, for an ele¬ 
gant fine tooth comb and hair brush, but as yet have had no brush with the 
enemy, or hair-breadth escapes to record. If anything of the kind has oc¬ 
curred within the confines of this magnanimous Corpse de Armie, it has 
escaped my personal observation. 

My jurisdiction at present extends only to the limits of my tent, having 
been prostrated by physical exhaustion and mental derangement, caused by a 
sudden rush of neck-tie to the brain , and the sacrifice of the most “exquisite 
moustache ” that ever graced a lip. I found a little “ secesh ” dulcina about 
twenty miles below'hcre, which is the most bitter, pouting little rebel 1 ever 
saw, and w r ho I have been trying to Unionize for some time through the me¬ 
dium of a “Grape Vine Mail,” but. she has engendered so strong a hatred 
for a Northern Yankee, she “ wouldn’t take any of my lip.” She dislikes 
very much to see a moustache, and, of course, to please her, hoping thereby 
to administer to the good of the Union, I yielded to her innocent appeals; 
the barber applied the steel of destruction; I felt something stealing o’er 
me ; another hair-breadth escape, and I became a beardless youth ! all for 
the sake of my charming “ Sue !” This sacrifice was too great; a severe 
cold and cough ensued, causing a sudden relapse in my physical health, and 
discombobolating my diobolical system so as to require an immediate retire¬ 
ment from the cares and perplexities of business life. 

During my temporary sojourn within the borders of my pent-up tent, 1 



104 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


have had a good opportunity for reflection. The fate of this once glorious 
Union seems irretrievably lost—gone up—morally, socially and politically 
ruined, unless some more immediate policy is adopted to crush the weight 
that now lies heavily upon her breast. Ye gallant sons of the North, flee to 
arms' and help restore the Union to its former standard of strength and 
prosperity. The Union horizon looks dark at times, but “it is always the 
darkest just before day.” The star of hope still glimmers through the dark 
and misty way, reminding us to be of good cheer, to stand by the old flag 
as we have so proudly done in days gone by. There are too many in the 
North who are trying to make political capital out of this war. There are 
men in this army who never would have been known to fame had it not been 
tor this rebellion, and still they are men of influence—they do not want to 
see this war closed until they have reached the zenith of their aspirations. 
INot only do they wish to receive, while the war continues, but are desirous 
of reaping a harvest thereafter. 

The fanatics of the North are greatly encouraged by what they may call 
the recent defeats before Richmond. J * 

We have one of the smartest niggers cooking for us you ever saw, who 
wants a position m the new government. He can eat more, sleep long# 
snore louder, and endure more rest than any other abolitionist in the coun¬ 
try . is blacker than a coal pit, and his hair curls so tight he cannot close 
his eyes when he goes to sleep. I saw him a few days since standing up 
against a tree, sound asleep. His name is Sir John Bunyan, and he p-lories 
m the name. I wish to recommend him at the next Congressional Conven¬ 
tion, (by his authority and request,) as a candidate for a position. He is 
eminently worthy the consideration of his admirers, and being a man of 
vast dimensions, I think he would have great weight in the halls of Con- 
gress, and woulda seat in that “august ” body with dignity. 

. ^ lg , Regiment is up and dressed as usual, and the health of the 
men is remarkably good at this time. Major Jefferson, Captain Young, of 
company E Captain Redfield, of company A, and many privates who have 
been away from the regiment for some time on sick leave, returned a few 


Headquarters, 2d Brigade, 2d Division, Army op Mississippi, 
Tuscumbia, Ala., Friday, August 29, 1862. 

./t^° nday m the 18th /^ S , t ” ou *‘ brigade > ia compliance with orders, march- 
e from our old camp at Clear Creek, Miss., for Tuscumbia, Ala. The dav 
previous (Sunday 17th.) Gen. Rosecrans inspected the whole command and 
expressed himself highly gratified to find the 2d brigade appearing so ’well 
and in so high a state of perfection in military deportment and drifl. At 10 
o dock a. ni. of the 18th, the brigade was mustered, and immediately there- 

r hea 7 y Sh ? W f 0f rain ’ P usbed off across Clear Creek, in an 
easterly direction, towards Northern Alabama, in the following order-—1st 

g uard 5 2d 26th Illinois Volunteers ; 3d, 3d Michigan Battery- 4th 
6th Minnesota Volunteers; 5th, 11th Missouri Volunteers; 6th, 2d Iowa 
Battery ; 7th 47th Illinois Volunteers; 8th, 8th Wisconsin Volunteers- 9th 

g^nTinam • 12 th ? ambulanc ® 8 5 H th > ba ggage train, (about 130 wa- 

fn fll ^k 12 •’ & d F ear guavd * T . he wbole train reaching three miles 
, g dbe . ni S bt ' PJ 8v . iaus was occupied principally preparaotry to move- 

mv i'nif » P q lled ^r lth a11 the necessar y subsistence both for myself and 

my mule “Spare Rib.” Two sutler shops were being sold out at colt '-mo- 

thW inn, r r f a ^ d f ° r the 8u tlers—purchased every conceivable 
hing in the eating line for the mamtainance of my friend mule and his de- 



TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


105 


voted companion, the bearer. We cleaned out the sutlers until nothing was 
left on hand, but a few old barrels and herring boxes. Aside from my 
haversack, which contained crackers, cheese, dried beef, herring, cigars, 
meersham, etc., the contents of my coffee sack footed up as followsTwo 
boiled hams, halt barrel bologna sausage, half box herring, one can secesh 
butter (very strong,) one cheese (animal,) four boxes sardines, one codfish, 
one kit choice pickled mackr-eel, (warranted not to “cut in the eye ” or 
“run down at the heel,”) one box “penny grab ” cigars, matches, one blad¬ 
der macboy snuff, fine comb, six boxes “squintim,” one sack of salt, ginger, 
mustard, pepper, one bottle cat-sop , one box strawberry (jam up) jam, one 

bottle heartshorn, (more properly called nose-horn— “ in a horn ”_who* 

knows?) sixteen loaves of bread, made with lead yeast rising. This, dear 
readers, may seem an immense amount for the subsistence for but two 1 
of us for only five days, but, when you take into consideration the fact 
that we live to eat instead of some, who merely “eat to live,” and that we 
are in the enemy’s country, liable at any moment to be swallowed up 
by the guerrillas, you must not think strange of my extravagance in sup¬ 
plying myself with the needful on the march. I am a candidate for “ Pro¬ 
visional ” Governor for Alabama, and I verily believe at. that time I was pos¬ 
sessed of the provisional ability to supply all the natives of this portion of 
the globe. 

I had nearly forgotten to mention, inasmuch as my favortite ani-mule, is 
also very fond of the good things of this life, as well as the subscriber, I 
still found a vacancy in said coffee sack, into which I had not omitted to con¬ 
tribute a fair portion of the aqueus particles, valguarly called straw, corn, 
oats, cabbage-heads, water melon “ rines,” sweet cake, besides a quantity of 
Government condem(n)ed (pardon this profane expression !) rations. All of 
which, with this ponderous bag of good things, was fastened on to muley’s 
back in rear of the aforesaid. I still found room in my advance previous ! to 
the saddle, for a bale of hay and a few armsful of cornstocks. Around her 
neck was hung a few strings of onions, and under her crinoline (she had on 
a net,) between her running gear, was strapped thereto a few old camp-ket¬ 
tles, wash tub and board, and a bucket of tar. Her wheels annoyed me con¬ 
tinually. She wheels around at every conceivable object on the roadside. 
After frequent applications of tar to the tire of her wheels ! she soon got tired 
of wheeling—so much for muley’s wheeling propensity. I copy from my 
journal. 

Finding myself far in the rear of the main force, an application of a pair of 
huge spurs, a la Napoleon Bonaparte, to the bearer of my household goods, 
we soon overtook the brigade two miles out, sheltered under the forest trees 
by the roadside, waiting for it to stop raining. It soon ceased, and we re¬ 
sumed our march till 4 o’clock, when we encamped for the night, near the 
town of Burnsville, a small dilapidated place on the Memphis and Charleston 
R. R., having marched about thirteen miles the first day. Here we remained 
till 11 o’clock next day, waiting for the rear of the train to come up, when 
we again took up the line and continued the march fifteen miles to Iuka, a 
small town on the railroad, arriving there about sundown, encamping in 
suburbs, under the fortifications built by Gen. Mitchel (of Kansas notoriety, 
now in command at that post,) a few months ago. 

The sick of the brigade, numbering about 150, came to Iuka by railroad, 
the day before we left Clear Creek, under the supervision of Brigade Sur¬ 
geon Thornhill. The Doctor has taken possession of an elegant large hotel 
in that town—“Iuka Springs House ”—where he has established a Genera! 
Hospital. In connexion with this house, and owned by the same person, is 
a beautiful park, in the centre of which is a mammoth boiling sulphur 
spring, with neatly arranged lattice bowers, and seats for visitors—was 
once a fashionable summer-resort for pleasure seekers and invalids from 


106 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


the extreme south. I saw some very beautiful and tasty residences. The 
town has about 1,500 inhabitants, though nearly all are tinctured with 
secession proclivities. Gen. Rosecrans, Commanding Army of the Mississ¬ 
ippi,. has his headquarters at Iuka, and Gen. Stanley, Commanding 2d Divis¬ 
ion, is also at that post and will relieve Mitchell in a few days. The town is 
overrun with Jewish sutlers, and there are three blacks to one white person. 
Days warm, nights cool and pleasant, but no rest for the weary. 

Early Wednesday morning, 20th inst., the command resumed the march, 
halted several times in the shade of the woods, long enough to give the boys 
rest and replenish their canteens from the springs that gush out from the 
foot of the mountains. Weather uncomfortably warm to-day, extremely so 
from two to four in the afternoon, with scarcely a breath of air, and the 
dust rising in clouds as the troops march on up the road, making it almost 
suffocating. But, then, the red, ripe peaches in yonder orchard, do look so 
tempting, and those black, plump lips of that “yeller gal,” sitting aside of a 
fence and looking so wishful for some one to come and claim her for his own ! 

I wonder if I can’t persuade her to be my “Eve,” and thereby get her to 
pluck some of those ripe peaches for her “Adam ?”—I would not then be 
sinning or violating general field order No. 1. 

“Here I am, dearest!” By George, she took me for an “ officer,” as 1 
threw back my linen duster from my shoulders, showing to view a pair of 
bright colored suspenders, which she must have mistook for “rank.” She 
soon disappeared, and nearly as soon returned with her apron full of the 
finest peaches and pears that eyes ever gazed upon, or lips ever melted into 
sweetness. I declare, I was almost persuaded to be an abolitionist. All 1 
could do, don’t you think, under the circumstances, was to extend my 
heartfelt sympathy for the deplorable condition of the southern slaves. In 
fact I felt for her, but she had— 


“Disappeared through the fogs of other climes, 

To view her massa counting o’er his dimes.” 

Here we are again, encamped at “ Buzzard Roost Creek.” It is just 4 p. 
ru.—-the sun scorching hot. As far as the eye can reach, for two miles over 
yonder hills I can see the white tents going up and the smoke of suppers 
cooking already begun. I have stretched out under the shade of an old 
apple tree on the bank ef the creek waiting with my knife and fork in hand 
to kill something. No secesh—no nothing to do for amusement, so I will 
lay by my weapons of warfare and snooze till supper is cooked,—hurrv up 
Sambo, with that supper!! Oh, dear! Can’t sleep! there’s a “ darn’ 1 
aligator crawling up my boot leg! Shoo! “Hurra—supper is ready”— 
come and participate—we have “plenty to spare”—have emptied the coffee 
sack. Our bill of fare this evening, my hearers, foots up as follows: Mut- 
ton killed, fried and boiled, (a consolidated triplet dish); dead sheep in a 
d 1 of a stew; “lamb fried:” pork, salt and fresh; hog pork; pig pork- 
roast pig stuffed with peaches; owls eyes smothered in strawberry jam; 
codfish, sardines, mackerel, and fish, (cooked any style you wish—or swim- 
mmg,) cough-y, chalk-you-late and T, (cooked or raw); and a conglomera¬ 
tion of all dishes of the Union order. The whole to conclude with a 
mammoth barbeque style—a la Bull Run. Will you partake ? 

Here we found good camping grounds, plenty and good quality of water 
tor drinking and bathing purposes, and forage in abundance for animals. 
Are now passing into a better portion of country, with the road winding 
around through the richest of valleys, and over the mountains, through 
heavy timber, with cool and sparkling springs boiling up through the ground 
and then into openings, with highly cultivated plantations, where peaches 
red apples green, pears yellow, grapes blue, and niggers black as Egyptian 
darkness, are abundant. At every plantation we pass the little darkies 


TWO YEARS' CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


107 


throng on the fences, and many are falling in behind the train. It is not 
unusual in these parts, to find men owning a section of land and two or 
three plantations under high cultivation, with immense orchards of fruit, and 
a nigger in every corner of the fence, still, some of these' wealthy ones 
grumble if the troops appropriate a few arms-full of oats for the animals, or 
accidentally kill a hog or a chicken. 

At sunrise, the brigade left camp, meeting with nothing worthy of note, 
and arrived at Cane Creek, fifteen miles, at 3 p. m., Friday morning, 22d 
inst. “Bright and early” the whole command were on the march for Tus- 
cumbia, eight miles distant, arriving here at noon all in good health and 
fine spirits, moved one mile to the south of the town where we remained two 
days, and on Monday last, Col. Murphy moved his headquarters into the 
town. We are at present occupying a neat little cottage in a retired portion 
of the town, but expect to move to the building now occupied by Gen. Paine, 
who will vacate in a few days. It is an elegant brick cottage situated in the 
neatest portion of the town, with vine covered porches, and surrounded 
with beautiful shade trees, tasty gravel and shell walks, and altogether the 
most elegant location in the town of Tuscumbia. Gen. Paine’s command 
will leave here in a few days, part of them having already gone. The Gen¬ 
eral himself, so I am informed, leaves for the North soon. 

Col. Murphy is in command of this post, and has already made disposi¬ 
tion of his forces for the better safety of his command, the town and the 
railroad. We have at Buzzard Boost, Cherokee and Cane Creek Stations 
two companies each, and at Little Bear Creek one company, all of the 6th 
Minnesota, guarding the railroad. Richmond Hill, one mile west of the 
town is occupied by Powell’s battery, supported by the 47th Illinois. In 
front, commanding the Frankfort and Iuka roads, is the 2d Iowa battery, sup¬ 
ported by three companies of the Eighth Wisconsin, B, D and I. “Stanley 
Hill,” one mile east from the town, is occupied by 3d Michigan battery, sup¬ 
ported by 11th Missouri, and three-fourths of a mile south from here is the 
26th Illinois Col. Loomis is Provost and Major .Jefferson Assistant Provost 
Marshal of Tuscumbia, with six companies Eighth Wisconsin as guard, viz: 
Companies A, C, E, G, H, and K, while company F, Capt. Green, is stationed 
at East Florence on the river, three miles distant. The Tennessee river is 
only one mile north-east of this place. Eastport is on the river and is the 
landing for Iuka, a few’ miles distant therefrom. The Memphis and Charles¬ 
ton railroad runs through this tow r n, and is employed constantly in bringing 
down supplies from Corinth and carrying cotton and niggers North. There 
is an immense quantity of cotton at the depot ready for shipment, and is 
being brought in from the country as fast as transportation can be had. It 
brings — cts. delivered at the cars. There are over 300 negroes of all ages, 
sex and color around the railroad waiting for shipment to the Fegee Islands 
or some other clime. I counted forty-nine “colored individuals” coming up 
the road yesterday in one group. They are a pitiable class, truly. Among 
them I saw one woman with her two daughters, either of whom would pass 
for whites, with light complexion, smooth features and straight hair, but 
they were slaves ! owned by one Dr. Barclay, a wealthy and distinguished 
secessionist of this town. Every corner and nook in Tuscumbia can boast 
of niggers. 

This is said to be a very wealthy valley, and the pride of the State. Beau¬ 
tiful residences greet the eye on every hand, and it is here in this hot-bed of 
rebeldom the ladies are the most charming, especially where they pucker up 
their little mouths, at the Union soldiery, in their “teens;” eat percirnmon’s 
so that they can “make mouths prettily,” and the old women, those that can 
boast of babies , have taught the little witches to point their tiny finger at the 
soldiers and call them Yank ! Yank! 

The citizens do not molest us, however—are rather quiet, in fact, for they 


108 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


know it to be their best policy. The people generally are rather courteous 
and hospitable, traits characteristic of Southerners. All the streets leading 
out of the town are guarded, and no person is allowed to pass out without a 
pass from the Colonel Commanding, or the Provost. Marshal. We have about 
fifty secesh prisoners in guard house, but they will soon be taken out and 
made to work on fortifications. 

Of the location of the town and its scenery I cannot speak in too high 
terms. It is an exceedingly handsome town, situated on a smooth side hill 
which rests in what may be termed the Valley of the Tuscumbia, for it is 
surrounded with high rolling hills, covered with groves of the finest trees I 
ever beheld. There are many beautiful residences in the town, any of 
which look like palaces compared with anything heretofore seen in 
our travels through rebeldom ; but the most attractive feature it possesses is a 
splendid boiling spring, situated in the centre of the town, and covering at 
least half an acre of ground. This spring affords great facilities for water¬ 
ing purposes. 

We hear occasionally from the guerillas. They are burning cotton south 
ol us, and committing other depredations on the railroad, such as are worthy 
only their low and cowardly calling. They are composed principally of men 
of the lowest order, ignorant and barberous, whose only motives for engag¬ 
ing in this, brutal kind of warfare is revenge and plunder. They roam about 
the country among the mountains and gulches in bands of from 100 to 500 
robbing and plundering indiscriminately both from friend and foe. Not con¬ 
nected directly with the Southern army, still their fiendish acts and deeds 
are countenanced and encouraged by the leaders of this rebellion 

Generals Stanley and Palmer have just arrived, and there is to'be an im¬ 
mediate change in the location of parts of our forces—troops are to be sent 


General Granger had an encounter with a large bodv of rebels at Eienxi 
driving them thirty miles towards Ripley. 


Corinth, Miss., Wednesday, October 9, 1862. 

• /u P ^ SUn i- e ’ ere .*;} us > y° u liave 8een account of the great battle at Cor- 
rnth therefore will not attempt to go into detail of what has already been 
written by others better qualified to describe such scenes as have been en¬ 
acted here in the past few days. I have heard of “hard shell Baptists,” and 

V° , pu T m ? T m par j n g s ’” where jokes and hickory nuts were irack- 
ed pretty lively, but Lord, deliver me from the shells of the enemy, especi¬ 
ally when they are in earnest about the “point at issue.” The skeeters are 
bpfnr^r 71118 ’ a ? d * S ° a — the . pesk y fleas > but when you are obliged to flee 
rennttn he 8 fire ’ 11 18 , 8t i U m0re anno y in g> when you know that your 

wv 4 7 ° Ur 8aC ^ ed h ° n0r are at stake ’ Patriotism, pure gem of 
manhood, bilmg over, oozing out at every pore, who dare skedaddle ? j 
know of many that did run like wild cats after a hot potater-men that were 
supposed to have been endowed by their Creator with courage enough to 
tii d f U ?K t0 6 ra ? k ’/ odder or no fodder, and commissioned by the Execu- 
itThnn their T favon 1 te Stat ® with the expectation that they would help defend 
itb honor. I am happy to state that none from old Wisconsin, however 
were seen to raise the “white feather,” but all that were engaged in the 
g t, stood out nobly, doing honor to themselves and their country and 
done nobly, drmng the rebel hordes at the point of the bayonet back in 
wild confusion This was on Friday, the day of the first fight. The com- 
bined forces under Price, Van Dorn and Lovell numbering about 42 000 
made an attack on our outpost guard at Chewala, ten miles northwest, driv- 



TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


109 


ing us with great slaughter back towards this place. The ball had open¬ 
ed, rather unexpected, and for three hours or more, an artillery fight was 
kept up on both sides with the most determined obstinacy, when the rebels, 
becoming more bold and desperate, made a charge through our lines and not 
until they had gained position under the brow of the hills overlooking the 
town from the northwest were they compelled to retire. They were bold 
enough, however, to attempt several times to capture a battery we had plant¬ 
ed only a half mile from the town, but the daring courage and bravery of 
our gallant Wisconsin Eighth drove them from the field with great slaughter, 
and after contesting the ground for one hour and tw’enty minutes, Jvvith the 
most desperate and unflinching determination on both sides, the butternuts 
broke and ran for dear life, under shelter of the woods. Night closed the 
scene and the fighting ceased, to be renewed in the morning with tenfold fu¬ 
ry. Price had told his men that they must take Corinth the next day, or go 
without rations. They were to be issued whiskey mixed with powder, to 
make them brave and desperate—so it was told since by one of the prison¬ 
ers we took. 

Lieut. Col. Bobbins, was slightly wounded in the abdomen, in the early 
part of the action by a musket ball, the same having struck one of his pistol 
holsters on his saddle, tearing the pistol stock completely off. 

Major Jefferson, was also slightly wounded in shoulder by a musket ball, 
barely cutting through the skin—another shot struck hispistol in his hand, 
shattering it completely in pieces, without doing further damage. The Major 
after having his wound dressed went out again on the field. These were 
ii close calls for them, I assure you. 

^ Capt. Dawes, Company “D,” and Capt. Estee, Company “II,” were also 
slightly wounded. 

About 2£ o’clock Saturday morning, the rebels having succeeded in plant¬ 
ing a battery during the previous night, about half a mile to our front, open¬ 
ed on the town a continuous fire of shot and shell for nearly two hours. 
They were in such a position that the guns from our batteries and forts 
could not play on them. At daybreak, their position being discovered, our 
guns opened and soon dislodged them. 

They became more desperate, and with a rush and a shriek the whole reb- 
t el force came down upon us, like so many wild beasts eager for their prey. 
Cannons were booming and musketry pouring their deadly volleys into the 
rebel ranks, but this did not seem to check them, on they came with the des- 
I peration of demons, until they had made a fearful charge upon Fort Robinet, 
with one loud and frantic yell they made a dash upon it, but with the 
* unerring aim of our gunners, and the undaunted courage of our men, they 
were mowed down like grass before the scythe. One hundred and thirty- 
; one rebels were made to lick the dust while attempting to capture the fort. 

! Never were the rebels more desperate. They succeeded in planting the reb- 
i el flag on our little fort three times, but not a single man of them was left 
to defend it. One of their generals, whose name is Rogers, led the charge, 
and bore their flag twice to the top of the fort, but alas! he too, paid the 
forfeit with his life. Daring, bold, desperate and unflinching, they led on 
their men, while shells were bursting all around them, and bullets flying 
thick as hailstones into their ranks. On they came rushing with furious 
vengeance into the town. This was the time when the fight became general, 
it was 11 o’clock in the forenoon of Saturday, and at this time the shells 
came tearing through the buildings adjoining the one occupied by Lt. Col. 
Robbins, then wmunded, and fearing for his safety, we placed him in an am¬ 
bulance and went out a mile south of the town, out of the reach of danger. 

Everybody wms excited. Men, women and children were running here 
and there wild and frantic with excitement. Ambulances were driven in 
haste to the battle field. Couriers were running their horses at the top of 


no 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


their speed, and the continuous roar of cannon and musketry, all told that 
the fight was going on with unflinching determination on both sides, when 
at 12, noon, the firing ceased, and the rebels were in full retreat, followed 
fiercely by our victorious army under Rosecrans. With what joy and sat¬ 
isfaction did this news spread through the lines after so desperate, and so 
hotly a contested struggle. 

The rebels at one time were nearly conquerors, then to fall back and take 
up an inglorious retreat must have been a source of great terror to them. 
They were whipped completely, routed, disorganized, and driven from the 
field at the point of the bayonet, but not until over one thousand of their 
men were shot down, and many more wounded. 

When ^Captain Williams’ mammoth siege guns opened their sulphurous 
mouths from the fort on the hill north of the town, and others at the same 
time from the batteries south of the town, there lines began to give way. 
Charge after charge was made; men were fighting with bayonets hand to 
hand and sword to sword, slaying and dying. The shrieking of the wound¬ 
ed could be heard amid the din and smoke of battle. Oh, this was terrible ! 
No pen can describe the scene. The horrors of war here were fully and 
truly heartrending. The wholesale butchery of human beings—a descrip¬ 
tion of which I will leave for future historians—the details are sickening to 
contemplate. Before one breastwork, where the 6th Wisconsin battery was 
stationed, the rebel dead actually lay in heaps. I counted twenty-one bodies 
some with their heads shot off, others with their legs and arms completely 
blown off. There they lay, a ghastly, bloody mass of human bodies, who 
had forfeited their lives for their reckless and daring spirit. The weather 
was very warm, and these bodies were much decomposed, and the stench 
arising therefrom was sickening. Passing over the field, in groups, cold and 
lifeless, lay the bodies of dead rebels. The ground was strewn with dead 
some clenching their muskets, and others, who had apparently lingered long 
m their death struggles, had crawled through their gory mass of blood be¬ 
hind logs, and there had breathed their last. Poor beings, who became 
dupes to satisfy the cravings of a few leading aspirants for fame, and whose 
treachery has brought thousands upon thousands to lick the dust attempt¬ 
ing to overthrow this Government. 


On the hill in front of the little fort, (before mentioned,) only half a mile 
and in plain sight of the town, lay the bodies of a large group of dead reb¬ 
els, where they fed in attempting to capture our guns. I saw among the 
rest one secesh brigadier general, (I was told his name was Rogers ) & An 
artist taking a picture of the scene, while over a thousand persons had 
gathered there to witness the sight. I don’t think this artist should have 
been allowed the privilege of taking such a scene. This kind of Spec¬ 
ulation ought not to be tolerated among civilized people. 

After the battle our wounded were brought in, and nearly every building 
m town converted into hospitals. During the engagement a general hospi? 
tal was established in the outskirts of the town. Surgeons have all been 
busily engaged attending to the wounded and performing surgical opera¬ 
tions. We have many wounded, but have, as yet, been unable to form a cor¬ 
rect estimate of our losses. Many amputations have been made by Surgeon 
Thornhill and others. The secesh wounded were brought in, and were at¬ 
tended by their own surgeons, assisted by ours. The flight of the rebels 
was so hasty, that they left all their dead and wounded ou the field The 
pockets of the dead were rifled before the retreat, whether by our men or 
the secesh I cannot say. 

We are now m hot pursuit of the retreating foe, have overtaken them and 
captured 14U of their wagons and a large number of prisoners. Price’s 


.TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


Ill 


army is completely routed and cut to pieces, but Price is too shrewd to be¬ 
taken himself—he looks well to that. 

General Hackleman was killed while leading his men before the enemy ; 
Genei-al Oglesbie was mortally wounded the first day in the lungs. Captain 
Temple Clark was seriously wounded in the lungs, and Major W. D.Colman, 
A. A. General to General Stanley, was mortally wounded in lungs, from 
which he has since died. It is thought that Captain Clark will survive. 
Colonel Mower, who was temporarily in command of the 2d Brigade, 2d Di¬ 
vision, was taken prisoner, but w-hen the rebels began to retreat, he escaped 
to our lines—was slightly wounded. 

A shell from a rebel battery burst in the Tischomingo House, killing a 
wounded soldier. 

The regiment here lost seventeen killed, eighty-one wounded and eighteen 
missing. 


Corinth, Miss., Sunday, November 9, 1862. 

The Eighth Regiment, accompanied by a large force, marched for Grand 
Junction, forty-five miles due West, on Sunday last, leaving a small detach¬ 
ment of the sick and convalescent to follow by rail, as soon as matters be¬ 
came settled in theadvance. Preparations are going on for the removal of the 
sick to the hospitals, and the convalescents, with the surplus baggage, have 
been removed to the depot to await further orders. How long we will have 
to remain here for a train the Lord only knows. Our tedious impatience, 
however, may be relieved any moment by the shrill whistle of the down¬ 
ward train, and then we will start on our way rejoicing, to another scene of 
action. There are at least one thousand convalescent soldiers in and around 
the depot, waiting transportation to the Junction, among whom are those of 
Stanley’s, McArthur’s, Quimby’s and Mizner’s brigades, the main force hav¬ 
ing left here a week ago to-day. I see among the various detachments hud¬ 
dled together around the depot many of the different Wisconsin regiments, 
whose appearance and actions indicate the same impatience that we cannot 
help but feel at the present time. Such tedious suspense, when one has 
nearly worn out his energies in preparing for a hasty departure—being woke 
up at the dead of night, with broken rest and a lame back, can only be tol¬ 
erated when necessity requires it. 

Two weeks ago the battle cry ran high through the streets of Corinth, 
and every person we met on the walk was enquiring “What’s the news? ” 
Stores were being sold out at cost, and suttlers stocks were selling below 
par. Rumors were flying from ear to ear that another terrible battle was 
imminent at this point—that Price had been strongly reinforcing his scat¬ 
tered army, and in conjunction with Bragg was marching on Corinth with 
the bold determination of giving us another desperate and bloody battle. 
These rumors have all proven groundless, and I feel assured in predicting 
that there is no such movement on foot, and that from reliable information, 
Price with his demoralized and broken army, is still at or near Holly Springs, 
some fifteen miles below Grand Junction, where he may yet meet with a 
warmer reception from the Federals than would be agreeable to his finer 
feelings. Co. inth can now safely be set down as the most impregnable point 
the enemy have yet attempted to take—its defences are immense—a complete 
chain of fortifications have been thrown up around the entire town, and at 
every conceivable elevation in and aronnd the town, forts have been built 



112 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


for the location of guns of the largest calibre. Beauregard’s old fortifica¬ 
tions around the town were said to be immense, but they are pronounced to 
be mere shadows compared with ours now in process of construction. 

Our works much unlike Beauregard’s, are drawn in close around the 
town, while theirs are nearly fifteen miles in length, and extending far be- 
yond the reach of the largest guns we had at Farmington last spring. Once 
their lines broken, our forces could easily have marched into this place vic- 
oriously At this time, however, we are prepared to meet any superior 
force that may come against us at this point, I am told that men in author- 
1 y are assured that a force of 15,000 can hold this place against any 60 000 
that dare come to capture it. Whole regiments and even brigades are daily 
detailed on the fortifications, with spades, picks and shovels, and it is rather 
a ludicrous sight (though not so pleasing to those that participate) to see a 

de m t r< * m g aI ° ng witb spades and shovels on their shoulders in 
place of the musket. Ihe boys put on a “vinegar” expression to their faces 

^thpn? H 1S T 7 ’ and wb ® n . a . d ^ ai1 of niggers are put to work along side 

men^ Aiw7; S? * iadlgnant at having to work with the white 

men ! All the “black males” not otherwise engaged as servants are nut to 
work with the shovel on the “works.” are put to 


. “Army of the Mississippi” is no longer a “name”—all army corps 
have been abolished Gen. Dodge is in command of the “District of Corinth 

• Te f n l S -i ee -” A11 ° f tbe “ old war horses ” have moved 

inth it still U tn C } 10 t T Whde We are - t0 establish a Noting ^ that part, Cor- 
mth is still to be kept in our possession, as it is an important military point 

While we are possessing other and more healthy territory, our advances Til 
be onward, steadily towards the Gulf. auvan ces will 


rumored and believed by some that Mobile is in our possession, but I 

have not yet seen its confirmation, therefore doubt its authenticity Also 
it is rumored that General Stanley is to be put in command in Kentucky' 

thTpTce 860 ™ 118 ’ and that ° en * LeW ' Wallace is t0 be Pnt it command at 

of Wit ^ tha t the N ? rtb bad turned its attention to the prosecution 

of this war. Have they no interests at stake that will warrant a moments 
-thought to any other topic than politics ? 

fil h TT i TrV V i 11 i ng .r d ready t0 be led on when called upon, and will 
fight it out to the last for the maintenance of the Union, their homes and 
their firesides But without some ray of cheer and encouragement™ buov 
«p their spirits they cannot feel any assurance of success. These patriotic 
individuals at borne that have been howling so lustily, andeubSJibK 
bountifully to the war fund for the benefit of the new recru ts and th^n 
saddling it on to their several towns by raising the amount by taxin/S 
property of those that have served their conntry through toil hardshin and 
privation for over a year, would do well to emigrate to Canada Tsome 
other congenial clime before the close of the war. I think these volunteers 

] 7 heSe sneaking cowardly poltroons in Christian robes will 
some day have an opportunity of retaliating against such treatment I 

whhthen^5u Jn -' Vr T lUtS latelj arriYed from tbe North, who brought 
with the n $ot) a piece, bounty money, when the same was raised bv tax?no- 

toler™od1^oiviSllnd r wh r e 3 r’e“hI S ■* ^ t0 b ° 

Han 0 e r ’ t h m e°f rali ? ^'7 ? Ul ‘ he war be Prosecuted ’wSTrtgor 

sr p<Wd - » the *>■«&* ££ 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN TIIE SOUTHWEST. 


113 


l was aroused from my slumbers last night about midnight by the sweet¬ 
est music I ever heard. Hazen’s incomparable brass band, belonging to the 
1st brigade of McArthur’s division, were out giving moonlight serenades. 
The night was clear and balmy, and such sweet music as they discoursed on 
the stillness of the night, was enough to inspire the tenderest sensibilities of 
the lonely heart and make it throb with rapturous joy. Their Bonnie Jean. 
Netty Moore, Bonnie E’Loise, Mawking Bird and Dixie, were executed in 
splendid style. Mr. Hazen, the leader, formerly with the 16th Wisconsin, 
and hailing from Fond du Lac, Wis., is a thorough musical scholar, and as 
the music of his band will attest, he has brought it up to so high a state of 
perfection as to rank with any other band now in this army. 

In my last was an error, in giving the name of the general who planted 
the rebel flag on Fort Robinet during the fight of the 4th October, instead 
of ‘‘Forester,” it was General Rogers of the Texas Legion. As soon as he 
had planted the flag on the fort he turned to his men saying: “Corinth is 
ours.” These were his last words, as he fell pierced with a dozen bullets. 
These words “Corinth is ours,” flew to the rear, and soon spread through 
the country like “wild fire.” Strange as it may appear, when the clouds of 
battle had died away and everything had lulled into a quiet state, the fol¬ 
lowing day brought many secesh sympathizers into the town. Several fam¬ 
ilies, with their household goods, came rushing down into the streets of Cor¬ 
inth, their faces beaming with joy and satisfaction with the news that “Price 
had beaten us,” and not until several of them had been snubbed into the 
guard house, did they realize that they were woefully mistaken! I think by 
this time they have lost all confidence in the “Southern Confederacy.” 

There is, residing in this place a Mrs. Wilson, a very aristocratic and intel¬ 
ligent lady, who has acquired considerable notoriety through the papers 
since the battle. During the hottest of the engagement she was in her house 
with her charming and accomplished daughter, both—contrary to repeated 
entreaties to go to some place of safety—vowing they would not leave their 
premises under any consideration. Their house is situated on a hill near 
the fort, where the 6th Wisconsin battery was stationed. The bullets and 
shells came pouring over the hill into her house, and this proving too warm 
a reception for them, they rushed out into the door yard, picked up a ladder 
near by and throwing it into an old well which had lately been dug, after 
drawing a few loose boards over the top, they descended thirty feet to the 
bottom—there was no water in the well—and there they remained until the 
fight was over, when they came forth from their peculiar hiding place, but 
to find their house completely riddled with bullets and their home converted 
into a hospital. The dead and dying occupied every room, and the floor of 
her house and every article of furniture was stained with blood. Nineteen 
dead rebels and seven horses were found in her door yard, and she declares 
that its a miracle she was not killed. I called upon her a few evenings ago, 
and having felt an interest in the welfare of so heroic a lady, she showed 
me the identical well where she and her daughter were hid for four dreary 
hours, expressing herself highly gratified at the result of the battle. 

I understand that all the sick in town are to be removed to Northern hos¬ 
pitals, and that the extensive brick college building, heretofore occupied as 
general hospital, is to be torn down. The Tischimingo Hotel is being refit¬ 
ted for the reception of invalids, and many other buildings are to be used 
for the same purpose. 

Have just learned that Price has evacuated Holly Springs. Our forces are 
moving onward. 


8 


114 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


In the Field near Grand Junction, 

Thursday, Nov. 20, 1862. 

We are again on the tented field—in the face of the enemy, and awaiting 
with painful impatience the order to move upon his works wherever he may 
be quartered. Just stand aside ye “gawping Yankees”—give us plenty of 
“sea room,” a good line, and in a few days you will hear of the greatest 
victory, or the most humiliating “skedaddle” on record—keep cool! dear 
hearers, while we turn back a few days, and give a brief sketch of our trip 
to this place. Having once more bade adieu to the celebrated city of Cor¬ 
inth, we were fortunate in procuringa train early on the morning of the 17th 
inst., when after the same delay in loading on the surplus baggage, we started 
on our journey to join the troops that had marched several days before. Not 
being provided with very comfortable quarters, there being no available pas¬ 
senger cars on the road, we were obliged to crowd into what few box and 
platform cars that were furnished us, or remain over several days, with no 
hope of ever reaching the command in safety. Every conceivable nook and 
corner was soon filled up, and every inch of space on the top of the box cars 
was occupied by the convalescent soldiers, together with knapsacks, guns, 
commissary and quartermaster’s stores. The weather was extremely cold 
and stormy, and the suffering among the men was intense, being exposed to 
a drenching storm of rain and sleet, which set in soon after we started, and 
with but a scanty supply of clothing, rendering it on the whole, a very un¬ 
pleasant and tedious journey. The guerrillas having burned a bridge several 
days before on the line running direct from Corinth, our forces were obliged 
to march some forty-five miles through a rough, broken country, infested 
with roving bands of guerrillas, who are ever on the alert to annoy and im¬ 
pede the progress of our trains, and “gobble” up the weary stragglers that 
may have fallen by the wayside. Thus ive were compelled to go a “ round¬ 
about ” w ay through Jackson and Bolivar, making the travel over a hundred j 
miles, and double the distance of any other line. We reached Jackson at 2 
p. m., where we w ere delayed until dark, owing to the non-arrival of the 
downward train. Our opportunities for sight-seeing were rather limited, for 
during the five tedious hours of our stay in that place, a violent storm of 
wind and sand was raging with almost unabating fury, rendering it impos¬ 
sible for the “airy” gentry in kids, or the “ blow-hards ” in town to spread 
their sails, or display their colors. No sooner had the wind ceased blowing, 
when it was succeeded by a perfect torrent of rain, followed by thundering 
applause from the galleries of heaven. Cold and blustering without, and 
possessed with the blue-devils within, you can imagine our situation to be 
not a very enviable one at this time. 

We have a sufficient force at Jackson for all necessary purposes, and Col. ! 
Lawler, of Illinois, so I learn, is in command of the post. It was long 
after dark, when the engine’s shrill whistle tooted the welcome intelligence 
that we were on the move. Passed Bolivar and the Hatchie in the night, and 
reached the Junction at daylight—locomotive and two cars having ran off the 
track about midnight, causing some delay, and considerable swearing amono* 
the “boarders.” who were huddled together in the rain, like so many sheep 
in a pen. The engineer must have either been crazy, or on a drunken train, 
(the latter most likely!) as the train had passed the town over a mile before 
we discovered that he was carrying the joke a littte too far. He cleared him¬ 
self, however, by stating that, he was only “looking for a dry landing ! ! ” 
Consoled with his manifest anxiety to land his passengers on a dry footing, 
we emerged from the crooked and painful position which we had occupied j 
for many long weary hours, leaving the engineer to run his machine alone 
and in his own way. Arriving in town, our first thought Avas of finding, if 
possible, some place to warm, and dry our blankets. A hotel was at last I 




TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


115 


discovered rearing its broad front aloft, and in bright and glowing colors read 
the sign of “Percy Hotel.” We broke, into “ double quick” for said dom¬ 
icile, followed by over a hundred of as hungry and seedy a set of fellows 
ever graced the halls of a country poor house, or a “land grant” legislature, 
when to our surprise and indignat ion found the house was closed—suspended, 
and the proprietor had gone off to some fashionable watering place in the 
vicinity of Richmond. Defeat stared us in the face, and with but a limited, 
supply of rations on hand, and many miles from home, without the slightest 
hope of receiving reinforcements, our case was a deplorable one—a new 
policy had to be inaugurated, and as the ranking officer of the detachments 
your humble servant immediately assumed command, by issuing the follow¬ 
ing congratulatory order: 

Headquarters Seedy Corps, Uncle Sam's Army, 

Great Junction, Mississippi, Nov. 18, 1862. 
Special Field Orders No. Onst : 

I. The undersigned, in assuming command of this “ Seedy ” Detachment 
takes pleasure in announcing to the brave men under his command, that, 
“notwithstanding,” “ howsomever,” “inasmuch,” “considering ” and duly 
appreciating the necessity wdiicli impels him to accept the high and distin¬ 
guished honor of being your Commander-in-Chief, it will animate and in¬ 
spire him in his old age, with renewed energy to be assured that his brave 
followers will never falter by the way side, but ever on the march, in the 
field, and in action, show their appreciation of their illustrious commander 
by fighting when he fights, and running when he. runs. 

II. Soldiers and feller seeds!—you have .just passed through a successful 
campaign, made more glorious by the hardships and sufferings you have 
been compelled to endure, through the heartlessness and damp-phoolery of 
my insignificant predecessor—you have been reduced to the very verge of 
ruin and starvation by incompetent and unworthy commissary’s, and are at 
this very moment a laughing stock among the “ Butternuts, ” who are throng¬ 
ing around your pitiful and dilapidated forms. While viewing these pale and 
cadaverous faces now before me, and those tattered garments, which soarcely 
cover your scurvy nakedness, it sends a thrill of pain to the bottom of my 
pockets, and if I were able to produce any change! in your condition, it would 
afford me unmistakeable bliss. The only encouragement I can give at this 
time, is that you trust in your commander, and when that important, and ever- 
welcome personage, the Paymaster General, reveals his smiling face to your 
gaze, and “ shells out ” his “ green backs ” among you, it will bring succor 
of milk and money, and a jolly good time. But, hold! 

III. Ye devils in rags—starvation no longer stares you in the face. See 
yonder corn crib, “ busting” out on both sides with the produce of the land? ? 
Rally then! ye “corn fed” imps to the rescue! That turnip patch too ! enclosed 
with but a single rail fence! then rail not at this enticing spectacle ! Look at 
yonder turkey gobbler strutting around, and inviting you to come and gobble 
him up. Unionize him! ye lantern jawed scape graces ! Sacrifice his bloody 
carcass, for he has no rights which we, as honest patriots, are bound to 
respect. These acts are but humane, and will be countenanced and tolerated 
by our irresponsible commandant, if you, in your greediness, do not. forget to 
share with him! 

Rush! ye gal-aunt “sons of guns,” upon the enemy’s works! Double 
quick! Charge bagnets on yonder Gobbler! By order, 

Don Carlos, Commanding “Seedy Corps. 

Tim. Rootenbarough, Al’ty Ast.o’n Act. As’t. Adj’t. Gen. 
and “ Wet Nurse for the State” of “ Destitution.” 


116 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OK 


This order was obeyed, as the men were much iu need of a strong vigor¬ 
ous policy, and the only one that could be inaugurated at the time, but to 
be up with the times, our movements by some, were considered “too slow ’ 
while many thought us “ too fast,” declaring that we were constantly chang¬ 
ing our “base of operations,” without accomplishing anything Thus, be- 
lore we had an opportunity of showing our hand, we were superseded 
Having gained permission of the Provost Marshal to occupy a small wooden 
building for a short time in the town, we here found shelter from the storm 
that was still raging, brought out our hard bread and bacon, and after pil¬ 
laging (that don’t mean stealing , in the army !) a few green turnips, just for 
f e ff-hireda nigger at the rate of five dollars a month to cook our break- 
fast for us. He did well, giving general satisfaction But after partaking 
ot our meal, Sambo concluded he had’nt charged us enough, so we discharged 
him, paying him for his services in hard bread at the rate of fifteen and 
three-quarter cents per barrel. He considered this pretty hard fare, and so 
did the sympathizing crowd ’ 

Our stay at the Junction terminated when our rations ivere exhausted, 
when we learned from a passing band of guerrillas (Illinois cavalry) that our 
brigade was three miles out. We started and reached camp just as they 
were moving—-had been ordered to advance one a half miles, to a better 
camping ground, called Camp Stanley—remaind there but a few days when 
the order came to move, and we advanced four miles to our present encamp- 
“® nt A Whlch 18 °, n1 a P lantati on owned by one Davis, a wealthy secessionist, 

vStuirT'i Hin rgeSt l )la ° tat i on we have seen in our travels through 
lebeldom. He has 3,o00 acres of land in one tract, and owns two grist mills 

m\ r , un , by , the men 0f the Ei &' hth Wisconsin, grinding corn 
th i h ? re ln tlie arm - v * a late order providing that the 

of coffee and tea! SUbS1Sted ° nly 011 corn meal > bacon > a » d burnt rye, instead 

nld G d?v\*5r’ . C °l 0ne i 0f the 17th Im nois, is command of Stanley’s 

r f H 8 headquarters at the Davis domicile, reserving a small 
apartment for the family of the proprietor, he having escaped twards Holly 

righTS W Sfen e Federal armj * The Eighth occu ^ the «*eme 

GEN. STANLEY’S GOOD-BYE TO TOE OFFICERS OF THE EIGHTH WISCONSIN. 

* a f I in £ f been , no ‘ ified Hiat Gen. Stanley desired to see the officers of the 
Lighth, befoie leaving for the new field of labors marked out for him by the 
powers that be, they repaired to his headquarters, and found the generalf like 
ef “ v°- ° f h ? \ ent ’ en S a g ed in bidding farewelfto the gen- 

Tfent kl h i? h i e - rdlyiS1 ° nSOf the ar “ Y - After taking hands all round. 
Lieut. Col. Bobbins, m a very neat and appropriate speech, on behalf of the 

fZ S :l th J Eighth Wisconsin expressed their regret, together with that 

bnT?? ti t • 0f L tberegime i nt ’ at hls leavin S bis present command, and their 
hope, that in hr, new sphere of duty, he would be as successful as he had 

seThS la , nn d eT rtment> ^ ** “ Eaglc ” * erched *<*<>* would never de- 

Gen. Stauley replied by expressing his regret at leaving the officers of his 
present command, stating that no one could feel more kfenly than himself 
the loss of such supporters as the officers and men of the Eighth- he had 

and he stands high in the estimation of the commanding general. Ever at 




TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 117 

his post, prompt and efficient, be has won the esteem of all, and is much ad¬ 
mired not only by the men of the old “ Eagle Regiment,” but by the whole 
brigade, et which he has proven himself a worthy and efficient commander. 
Many are the inquiries after the health of the colonel, all expressing the 
same devoted attachment to their old commander, and wishing his safe and 
speedy return to the command. Of his evacuation of Iuka on the 14th of 
September last, it is claimed by the most able militarj^ men in this army to 
be one ot the most brilliant stragetic movements planned since the commence¬ 
ment ot the war, and none but those that know not the circumstances con¬ 
nected with it., or those who had more interest in the cotton speculations than 
patriotism for the Union, can disapprove of the movement. The court ap¬ 
pointed to investigate the matter, found the testimony insufficient to convict 
him, and lie was therefore “honorably acquitted,” and by Gen. Grant ex¬ 
onerated from all blame 

The Eighth W isconsin is in fine condition, and eager to meet the enemy when 
called upon. The effective force of the regiment number between five rfnd 
six hundred, and are equal to the quota of a full new regiment.. Lieut. Col. 
Robbins may be seen frequently riding through the camp, looking after the 
interests of the men. While Maj Jefferson, ever at his post., contributes 
much to the character of the regiment and the service. The Major is Presi¬ 
dent of a General Court Marshal, now in session at Division Headquarters, 
lor the trial of quite a number of captains and lieutenants, who may have 
proven recreant to their trust. Adjt. Sprague is still Act. Ast. Adjt. General 
at brigade headquarters, and has proven himself worthy of a higher position 
than the one he now occupies. Quiet and unassuming in camp, yet brave 
and cool in action, he is certainly deserving the respect and attention of the 
“ Executive '’ of the state. Among the line officers of the regiment the best 
of feeling exists, and the men have learned that the romance of war is about 
u played out.” Price is said to be at or near Tallahatchie, some twenty miles 
below Holly Springs, with a large force, which is eighteen miles south 
of this point by t railroad (Mississippi Central,) and twenty by wagon 
road. The rebels are said to be fortifying at Jackson, Miss , whether they 
intend to make a stand at that point or not, I am unable to state. We are 
prohibited from giving contraband news, etc., and therefore adieu. 

The Eaqlf. Still Lives. 


Camp near Waterford, Mississippi, 
December 5th, 1862. 

The grand army of the West has been on the move several days. Every¬ 
thing being in readiness, our forces under Gen’l Hamilton, commanding left 
wing, numbering at least 40,000, moved from the vicinity of La Grange, on 
the morning of the 28th November last. While Gen’l Sherman, commanding 
the right wing, with a force of not less than thirty thousand, left Memphis 
at about the same time to co-operate, and if possible, to cut off Price’s re¬ 
treat, by falling in his rear, it being ascertained that he had evacuated Holly 
Springs, and was quartered in force on the Tallahatchie, and Gen’l McPherson 
commanding the grand centre, with a force of some thirty thousand, all un¬ 
der the gallant and distinguished General, U. S. Grant, went forth to give 
the enemy battle in his stronghold. We marched fourteen miles to “Cold 
Water,” where we arrived after slow marching, late at night. The rain way 
pouring down in torrents, and the men were suffering from cold and hunger. 
Here we bivouaced around our camp tires in groups, or venturing a snooxe 
till the next dawn of day, which we hoped might bring the cheering rays of 
warm Hunlight. This was, indeed, a dismal night for the wearied soldier. 



118 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OK 


The prospect for rest was “ dubious ”—the ground was wet, and the 
night a tedious one, but it was passed without a murmur. Morning came, 
and with it the warm sunlight, ever welcome in the life of the way worn 
soldier. Breakfasts were soon cooking and steaming over the camp fires, and 
the sweet odor of bacon and hoecake, expelled all despondency, and we were 
again ready to resume the march. “Fall in! ” resounded through the camps, 
and soon the long column of troops were again on the move Southward. It 
was a warm pleasant day, and the troops were in high spirits. About 10 
o’clock, as we were ascending a hill, the tall spires and lofty brick buildings 
of Holly Springs, loomed up into view, and such a cheering as then weijit up 
through the column from thousands of throats, was never before heard in 
all rebeldom. Each regiment unfurled its banners to the breeze, and the 
bands of martial music made the scene more inspiring, as we entered the 
town, not. yet free from the poluting scent of Price’s army, who had occupi¬ 
ed the town with impunity until the day previous to our entering it. Our 
admiration of Holly Springs cannot be expressed in words of mine. No 
place we have yet seen in our travels, has met with such universal admiration 
as this. Elegant and tasty residences, with the most luxuriant and beauti¬ 
ful shrubbery greet the strangers eye, as he passes through the town. Be¬ 
fore this disolating war had visited them, the town could boast of 5,000 
population, but now, alas! for the fate of traitors, most of them have been 
compelled to retire from their once peaceful and happy homes, leaving the 
whole of their property in the hands of their most trusty domestics. 

Many of the older citizens could be seen standing on the corners of the 
streets watching the movement of the troops as they marched by. One old 
secesh sympathizer remarked that, “ There had been one continuous column 
of Union soldiers passing through the town for two days, and that it was 
well that Price left as soon as he did, and that, where he had expected the 
worst of treatment from us, lie was glad to say that our army behaved in a 
most becoming manner.” He said that the “ Confederate ” soldiers robbed 
them of nearly everything, and then abused and insulted them because they 
had no more. Many of the strong minded secesh ladies, who spurned the 
idea of being seen by the “Yankees,” could be observed taking notes 
through the window shutters, that hid their flashing eyes or the scornful lips 
of indignation. Having passed through the town on a slow march, winding 
through one street and another until the order came to advance, when we 
were again on the march towards Tallahatchie, advanced nine miles to Lump- 
kins Mills, her© we pitched camp, and remained several days. Upon our arri- 
val in camp, cannonading could distinctly be heard in our front, and it was 
known that the enemy were in force on the Tallahatchie, ten miles distant^ 
and that the booming of the cannon Avas from their seige guns at Abbyville. 
one and a half miles from the river, Avhere the enemy Avere also in force. 
All day along, at regular intervals, like the roar of distant thunder, the fir¬ 
ing could be distenctly heard, and various were the rumors that, spread 
through the camps in quick succession, and not until a courier came riding 
by with the neAvs that Sherman had nearly surrounded the enemy, and that 
they were preparing for a hasty retreat toivards Grenada, were the men quiet¬ 
ed down ; hence, the firing in front. This proved to be true, for Sherman 
had crossed the river beloAv, by means of pontoon bridges, and Avas Avorking 
to the enemy’s rear, when they, discovering the game, hastily abandoned 
their extensive fortifications, and commenced a retreat.. The enemy are 
totally routed, and our forces are in close pursuit. News brought in yester¬ 
day is highly flattering. Gen. Steele, with the Helena forces, is reported 
having a pretty warm chase with Price—the former reaching Grenada before 
the latter, thus cutting off their further retreat by rail. That Price, gettin«■ 
Avmd of this move, had left the railroad, and was moving to the East, leaving 




TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN TIIH SOUTHWEST. 


119 


the principal part of his baggage and stores, with a vast quantity of valu¬ 
able railroad property, which has fell into our hands 

Gen. Ross has just received a dispatch from Gen. Logan, now in the ad¬ 
vance, stating that “The enemy are retreating rapidly, and we are pushing 
them like li—1; that 700 prisoners have just been brought in.” To which 
Ross replied:—“ Bully for the front ! We are railroading, and will send you 
supplies in a few’ days.” 

Gen. Grant and staff, with a company of cavalry as body guard, passed to 
the front this morning. Generals Hamilton, Quimbv and nearly all the not¬ 
ables are in the advance, and you may rest assured they w’ill not leave a 
‘'stone unturned” that will hinder or delay the object in view’. 

Gen. Ross’ Division, to which w’e are attached, are the reserve. 

We are encamped at present near the town of Waterford, on the Mississippi 
Central Railroad. Our duties principally will be repairing bridges and 
guarding the road. Capt. Young, of company “E,” has the supervision of 
reconstructing the bridges north of us—he has been out to-day examining 
the road and taking notes. The Captain reports ten bridges destroyed be¬ 
tween here and Holly Springs, a distance of only seven miles. This road 
runs through a dense swamp for many miles south of here, and is said to be 
nearly all tressle work, which the enemy have destroyed. An engineer re¬ 
giment is at. w’ork repairing that portion of the road south of us, and I pre¬ 
sume that in a w’eeks time everything again will be in running order, and 
then we w r ill be on the move. 

Five deserters came into our camp yesterday, one of whom is a German, and 
was a private in the Texas Legion—was pressed into the rebel service last 
May, at Galveston, Texas. He reports the Southern troops in a deplorable 
state of destitution, and that the secession cause has “gone up.” His shoes 
cost him eight dollars—is poorly clad, and says he has had nothing to eat 
for three days, but rate com. 

The 12th "Wisconsin, Col. Bryant, is encamped about half a mile from us. 
As the regiment was passing our last camp a few days ago, the Eighth 
brought out the Eagle, and formed in line by the road side. As they caught 
a glimpse of our old bird, they commenced cheering, and many here found 
friends and relatives, w’hom they had not met for over a year. The regiment 
is in fine condition and “spoiling' for a fight. 

We have been building brick fire places in our tents, which are a great 
improvement on the old log heaps we have had outside. Our eyes are smok¬ 
ed out of our heads, and our complexions have assumed the hue of our il¬ 
lustrious contrabands. Corn doggers and molasses are the principal articles 
of subsistence just at this time, and there is a great demand for tobacco— 
oak leaves are used as a substitute. 


Camp near Germantown, Tenn., 

Sunday. February 8, 1868. 

After a long Silence I again resume my pen to inform you that the “ Live 
Eagle Regiment ” is still in existence, and at present comfortably quartered 
in camp near Germantown, Tenn., which place it reached on the 22d ult., 
direct from Corinth. The regiment has been put through a “regular course 
of sprouts,” since leaving Corinth in November last. Not a single day has 
passed but the majority of the command has been either employed on fatigue 
duty, while in camp, or on heavy marches. To show more conclusively 
what the regiment has passed through in that, time, I will date back to 
Waterford, Miss., from whence 1 last wrote you December 9th. Having al¬ 
ready marched from Corinth to Waterford, a distance of over one hundred 



120 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OU 


miles, we again resumed the march from Waterford towards Oxford, Miss, 
on the 10th of December. Crossed the Tallahatchie river at noon, and after 
feeling around among the rebel fortifications stretched out along the river be¬ 
came convinced that the enemy had again evacuated. Hearing cannonading 
going on in our front, put spurs to Donkey, “ changed front to rear,” and went 
into winter quarters three miles distant from said river, happy in the con¬ 
solation of having once more driven the terrified foe from his stronghold, 
feettled down upon my dignity , and resorted to the last and only method of 
conquering the enemy—that of “ starving him out ”—by appropriating for 
my own individual and personal benefit, the last slice of bacon in my haver¬ 
sack. Night came on, and with it a longing for some comfortable nook to 
rest my troubled anxieties, but such could not be found. I thought of home 
and the many spare beds that were not occupied from one year’s end to an¬ 
other ; of the hay-mow in the barn, and indeed, the old pig-sty in the back 
yard would all have been more agreeable than the resting place that there 
awaited my coming. Scraped together a bed of leaves, spread my blankets, 
placed my saddle under my head, and turned in to dream of everything good 
but not “ come-at-able.” Bright and early were again on the march south- 
ward, (except Co. E, Capt. Young, who, with a small detachment of the 47th 
Illinois, were ordered to return to the Tallahatchie river to rebuild the rail- 
road bridge that was burned the day previous by Price’s retreating army \ 
reached Oxford twelve miles distant, at night, and went into camp in the 
suburbs of the town. Here the regiment performed provost duty until the 
20th of December. On the 19th, company E rejoined the regiment, and on 
the morning of the 20th the “chief warrior” began to pull the snarls out of 

l 1 - S nwi r ’ tali b T -y i 0rder ’ again “ chan g ed front to rear.” The Eighth, together 
with the 26th Ilknois, were conveyed by cars to the Tallahatchie river on a 
fishing expedition! Didn’t find any sucfcers ! but learned that the redoubt¬ 
able Van Dorn had made a good haul of them at Holly Springs that very 
morning (the 101st Illinois !) Having recrossed the river, were ordered to 
disembark from the cars, formed in line of battle under command of one Col 
Marsh ot Illinois, but the line was not long enough to reach the enemy. Sent 
out a forage train m search thereof, but could not bait him; hung up slices of 
bacon round on the fences, thinking p'r'aps this method would prove effect¬ 
ed “dnnhl Uld g l n0 1 -V t -?- For “ ed in a “ hollow S( l uare ” around a marsh ! 

. lt yP. and C ? 0Wn the railroad tr ack for about two 
houis to get blood m circulation, when Col. Marsh, the hero of nara battle 
spied through his opera glass the advance of the Southern Confederacy,— 

“ To arms!” lie cried, 

Through his glass he spied 

The advance of rebel cavalry. 

the l 1 ! 11 /. 0 }’.’ in ^stance, if we mistake not, after taking a glass / 
we, too, could distinguish a something like unto black oak “stumps. “To 
arms, he cned, and with a rush and a yell that would have done honor 
to any cause, 2,000 glittering “bagnets” “went in” upon the foe, but were 
checked without any further damage being done. The Colonel commanding 
soon discovered that his glass! (like many others,) had deceived him. and 
while speculating on the chances of winning a star , as a reward for his he- 
ioic deeds, instead thereof he won no laurels, and lost his appetite for sup¬ 
per He soon re-organized his confused columns and proceeded to Water- 

vln blV0uacked T ght ’ Rnd next mornin £’ aft er being convinced that 
Van Dorn had finished parolling the -suckers, ” marched to Holly Springs 

Z fnn We T rj ed i fr° Ut 2 - P ‘ in * Found ever J thing and every body hi c<fn- 
fusion. The Eighth was immediately detailed as provost guard, and Lieut 
Col. Robbins appointed Provost Marshal. Order was soon restored and! 
save the smouldering ruins of a few old wooden buildings that had been 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 121 

burned by the enemy the day previous, the town presented the same appear¬ 
ance as when the army passed through only one week before. 

Learning that Van Dorn had made his appearance in the vicinity of Grand 
Junction, thirty-five miles distant, at 11 p. m. on the 22d, the regiment, to¬ 
gether with the 17th Wisconsin Volunteers, were ordered out on double 
quick in search thereof, and reached the Junction about four in the afternoon 
of the next day. After a thorough search in and around the “Percy Hotel,” and 
the numerous corn-cribs adjacent thereto, were informed by an “intelligent 
contraband,” that ye henemy had left in disgust a short time before. Again 
changed front to rear, and marched to La Grange, Tennessee, three miles dis¬ 
tant, where the regiment went into camp in a fort constructed of cotton bales 
and so-4th. Here we remained until the morning of the 8th of January, 
when we again changed front to rear, the Eighth, together with the 11th 
Missouri and 47th Illinois, marched via Bolivar to Corinth, Mississippi, a 
distance of over one hundred and fifty miles. The roads were horribly mud¬ 
dy, from the rains that had fallen for a week previous, rendering it almost 
impossible for either man or beast to navigate. The weather, too, was ex¬ 
tremely cold, and the suffering among the men terrible—were six days on 
the way. Remained at Corinth until the 22d January, when orders came 
to again “ change front to rear.” On the 20tfi, companies B and G, on the 
21st E and K, and on the 22d January the remaining company’s of the 
regiment were conveyed by cars to this place, arriving about nine in the after¬ 
noon of the same day, since which time the regiment has been constantly 
employed performing picket, provost and fatigue duty. 

Major (now Lieutenant Colonel) Jefferson is Provost Marshal of German¬ 
town, and may be found at all hours at his headquarters, in a pleasant por¬ 
tion of the town, administering the oath of allegiance to the converts and con¬ 
victs, and bringing to justice those that may be proven guilty of committing 
any Miss-D.-Meanor. 

The promotions of G. W. and J. W. respectively to the honorable positions 
of Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel, give good satisfaction throughout the 
entire command, and are well merited. Colonel Robbins bears up well un¬ 
der the wings of the eagle. Lieut. Col. Jefferson, in assuming the responsi¬ 
bilities of his predecessor, will shoulder the “silver leaf” with honor. 

Memphis is only fifteen miles from this place, and we can distinctly hear 
the morning and evening gun as it comes echoing back through the swamps. 
It is but half an hour’s ride by the Mississippi and Charleston railroad to 
the city, and both officers and men are availing themselves of the facility for 
city sight-seeing. One officer and two enlisted men from each regiment are al¬ 
lowed to visit the city daily. “ Let them make hay while the sun shines,” 
for this war is not yet over. 

I think we are perfectly secure in this locality, although “ there is many 
a slip between the cup and the lip.” We hear of the guerillas occasionally 
hovering around us, but apprehend no attack at present. Van Dorn, with 
a small force of mounted infantry, is reported to be in the vicinity of Cold 
Water. His movements are closely watched. 

Vicksburg is not yet taken, though we are looking for some movement in 
that direction before many days. I don’t think the Eighth will be brought 
into action. Many officers are sending for their “better halfs,” which indi¬ 
cates a long stay at this point. 

War is a great institution—an institution founded upon the principles of 
right and wrong; but where the right is claimed by both combattants, with 
equal strength and facilities to enable them to continue for any length of 
time—where the sacrifice of life, property and happiness are recklessly 
thrown away and disregarded, in the anxiety to accomplish the desired end, 
as the present struggle has shown, needs no expression from my feeble pen 
to portray the horrors that this rebellion has incited in our once peaceful 


122 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


country. Having been in the volunteer service some sixteen months, and 
participated in many of the battles for the defense of the Union as it was 
and the Constitution as it is, we look back with painful hearts, and inquire,’ 
What are we doing ? Have we accomplished the desired end set out for 
many months ago, or are we any nearer its accomplishment than one year 
ago ? With an immense army in the field, never surpassed in numbers, dis¬ 
cipline or intelligence by any other powers in the world—-with all the facili¬ 
ties requisite to the accomplishment of something that will do honor to the 
cause that impelled the stalwart sons of the North to go forth to do battle 
against the traitors of our country. With all this in view, and still the pro¬ 
gress made to crush the rebellion and restore peace to the Union, is it not as 
far distant as when it began at the fall of Sumter, when the great heart of 
the North was, like a thunderbolt, shocked to its core ? The war with all 
its glories and horrors, is not yet ended. May the day be not far distant 
when the “olive branch of peace” may spring up in every heart—when a re¬ 
union of the North and South may be accomplished. It is sad indeed to 
recall the past, with its painful reminiscences; no one can picture the scenes, 
and no pen can describe the cruelties and atrocities that this rebellion has 
incited in the land 

We turn with sadness to the past—how changed the condition of our na- 
lon now and a few months previous. Time was when we could travel 
thiough any part of our once beloved and united country, and everywhere 
meet our brothers. Now, alas ! that same feeling is changed to hate—but- 
still more sad is the thought that our worst enemies—in lvhat has been 
termed the “Sunny South,”—are those who once were called ladies. No 
insult is eonsideaed to great to offer the Northern soldier—no words or ac¬ 
tions can express their utter contempt for those who offer their lives to pre¬ 
serve this nation in its original purity. And while we have willing hearts 
and willing hands that are ready to press onward to the end, we cannot re¬ 
frain from inquiring, what is the policy of the administration ? Is it to be 
continued for the purposes of political aggrandizement—for the elevation of 
a few political demagogues, who are as shallow in brains as they would be 
in purse, were they not by chance placed in positions beyond their capacity? 
We have also noticed the rise and fall of many a brave and noble man, placed 
in command of an army, but to be the victim of party prejudices and party 
jealousies . Has it not been too frequently the case that as soon as he was 
ready to strike the eventful blow, has he not been checked from his purpose 
and perhaps removed ? Has this not been the case too frequently in tfie 
Eastern army? Pope and Fremont were claimed to be too fast, while Buell 
Burnside and “Little Mack” were thought too slow. 

Though the star actors in this life drama may have brought out the ap- 
plaudits of the whole people when success attended his efforts, is he not lia¬ 
ble to err in judgement as well as he who has less responsibilities 9 May 
not /m glass, too, have presented some feint reflections ? J 

In this instance we cannot refrain from speaking of the expulsion of Col 
Murphy from the service, without the shadow of a trial granted him, or al¬ 
lowing him an investigation. A, great injury to a man whom we regard as 
totally blameless of the numerous charges that have been brought against 
him Let the people of Wisconsin deal gently with the character of this 
gentleman until the facts shall have been fully developed. It is human na¬ 
ture to judge to harshly of any one upon mere rumor. Public opinion in 
America is founded upon mere fallacies-taken up by the masses and set in 

Si r' • 11 a r° eS ? nd fr ° m ear t0 ear 5 the bal1 is in motion J each 

shallow brained fanatic adds thereto his version and opinion in the matter 

until the same, greatly modified by the editor, finds its way into the columns 

Unudfc It 8 the Chl ? l g ° Tnbu ™ ! from whence it gains a hearing, and 
is made the hobby among the mud sills—the devotees of that sheet. It cir- 


TWO TEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


123 


culates, and is the topic of conversation in all circles. Politics is brought, 
to bear upon the case at issue, and the Colonel is the victim of .abuse and 
misrepresentation. He has been termed a coward and a traitor—void of all 
the attributes that make a loyal man. Let that man show his authority for 
such an assertion ; ask him the reason upon which his belief is founded, and 
that simple-minded man will tell you : he “saw it in the Chicago Tribune ” 
Such is the feebleness of human character. Wise men think before they 
speak, but weak ones speak before they think ! We believe that Col. Mur¬ 
phy is not a traitor nor a coward, and he that utters such contemptib le as¬ 
sertions against his character without the shadow of proof, is the mere 
tool of some political class, bought and sold, according to the market price, 
in Lager Beer, at five cents a glass. 

Of Col. Murphy’s military ability, he has few superiors, and being res¬ 
pected by his superiors, he was also admired by his men. No wish of the 
latter was ever refused, when consistent with the service and military disci¬ 
pline, ever paramount in his mind—his heart was ever with his men, and 
and their interests his interests. To-day, when we look back to the career 
of this man, who has been uppermost in the hearts of his followers for more 
than fifteenth months, through hardship and suffering, on tedious marches, 
in battle array, when his cheering voice animated his brave men to renewed 
energies, now, to pen this item in his defense, gives us pleasure, but pains 
the heart to see his downfall, made so without .just cause or provocation on 
his part. ‘‘Every man should be considered innocent until proven guilty.” 

“Truth crushed to earth will rise again ! ” 

How many there are high in position that deserve more censure for what 
they have not done! What is a position we would enquire ? Look at the 
President of the United States for instance!—the cares and responsibilities 
of his great family, who are constantly quarrelling over their daily bread 
and butter! must be a source of great annoyance to him in his old age. 
The man of wealth with his vast estates, is troubled in mind when he looks 
over the tax list! while the politician grumbles when making an estimate ot 
his available strength, and finds, alas ! that the majority of his friends are 
in the army ! He that hath no position, has no responsibility—he that, hath 
no property, has no taxes to pay, and he that hath no friends, has none to 
support. A man by accident may step upon our toes, and then offer an apol¬ 
ogy, but that does not heal the wound; and if by chance a man should 
throw a quid of tobacco in your face, you would excuse him, but, if, out of 
politeness, he should proceed with his ’kerchief, to wipe out the stain, you 
would certainly object to his “rubbing it in !” 

We find it intensely cold writing in tents ! —greatly in want, of something to 
read, having exhausted all the weaklof* in the rebel army. A facetious fel¬ 
low at my elbow very unjustly remarks, that my nose! is the only thing 
re(a)d in camp ! We cannot, agree with the “learned gentleman ” on that 
point, and we only speak of it, because it. is a military move to write (right) 
about face! 


Germantown, Tenn., 
Wednesday, March, 11, 1863. 

This is one of the most disagreeable and unpleasant days we have experi- 
nced for a long time, and as my feelings correspond somewhat, with the as- 
,ect without, 1 have sought my pen at this time, hoping thereby to dispel all 
loomy forebodings, and drive away the indigo friends that, are hovering 
round us. How cheerles^ and mournful sounds the raging of the storm as 



124 


OPENING OF TIIE MISSISSIPPI; OK 


ninr 0 Thnn^ g i t ag ^i nSt tbe canvass of our slight little tenement-seven by 
nine. Ifiougn it may seem romantic to some who have never experienced 
these unwholesome luxuries, have learned to our sorrowere th£ lift 
it is the painful reality-that -it is not all gold that "litters » nor can 
green-backs furnish a solace where it cannot be found. Some heroic youth 

Ii:7r iU ? ly remarked ’ that t0 die one’s country, ?s 
g onous. It may be so m some certain cases and causes and under different 
circumstances, but to get up a fight for mere past time and die in conse 
quence—kmk the bucket outright—is more becoming to the savages and wild 
beasts who know no better. We are willing to “ try our hand”atS 1 
lf !t be the will of Him who rules all thfngs VeU for to Uy“ g W e 
of the u" e cnemy ’ a . n<1 dym s Strengthen him. 1 doubt whether the author 
South ’"ZJtTr ^ ^f d . ft teretaste of camp life in the--Sunny 

• ers f eld ’ e remar kably healthy and in good condition Dr Mnrtn 

g comioit to those that are in any way afflicted. The Doctor is mnrl, i;L,i 

iiiiSSPSp 

of the men is indebted. g ’ f 1 ’ m a great measure i the health 

To-day’s report shows the effective force of the remment to he- 

PrSt SS sick d °f CerS ’ V ¥entj ' nine; enlisted men, 499; aggregate 528 
twenty-one convalescent commissioned officers, two? enlisted men, 

S ev 0 enty PeCW " ,d ® Xtra d “ ty - missioned officers, three: enlisted, men. 

In arrest, enlisted men, two. 

Total present—commissioned officers, thirty-one; enlisted men fion 
fifty 0n deta0hed 8ervicc - oommissioned officers, three; enltted men 

Withon?’!^ COm “r S . i0 ? ed officer3 ’ tw °: “bated men, one. 

Without leave, enlisted men, fourteen. 

Absent sick, enlisted men, fifty-eight, 

Tntai olPrisoners, commissioned officers, one; enlisted men four 
To a absent commissioned officers, one; enlisted men 127 

64?! ig P g r regate? 684 abSCTt ’ comnii ssioned officers,fifty-seven; enlisted men, 

m^e^Sr^Lrl'Srh^-ptrtTrrvh^t *3" *r 

with honor—done more hard marching than anvmhl^w™ 16 < : llgilgcm ' :nts 
a He P r r e C e Cnt ^ F g °° d a re “ rd ™W recent in 3“ regUnCn *' 
is ^tL C rve”Ta h rd g M°e r „ d ;S s . bUgI ' " “ ^ Th. column 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN TIIE SOUTHWEST. 


125 


On Board Steamer “Empress,” 

En route for “Dixie,” March 15, 18G3. 

Oar parting at Germantown was rather unceremonious, I must confess, 
but such is the fate of soldiers in the field. On the 11th inst the Eighth 
marched to within three miles of Memphis, where it went into camp to await 
the arrival of transports to go down the river. I had an idea that we were to 
have a resting spell, but it does seem that the army can do nothing without 
the Eighth being placed in the front, while other regiments that have not 
seen half the hardships, are reserved to guard the beautiful flower gardens 
in Memphis, and luxuriate on the delicacies of city life. But “we are in for 
it,” and are now floating down the Mississippi—will probably be landed in 
some aligator swamp, where ’skeeters, and other cruel varmints make life 
more hideous by their tormenting presence. But we are resigned to our 
fate, let come what may, and while we tolerate, with the patience of Job, the 
backbitings of these infernal ’skeeters, while we are bleeding for our glorious 
country, may those among you who have not yet experienced these scenes, 
turn to those who first sowed the seeds of this unholy war, and who are to¬ 
day praying for its continuance, and enlighten them, that they may see 
themselves as others see them. Give us a light, for we’re afloat down the 
Daddy of Waters. While we have plenty of hard bread in the larder and a 
responsible crew to run the craft, we fear no danger of “bustin’ our biler.” 
“We are in for it”—let us do our duty and not violate the sacred oath we 
took to support the Constitution of the United States (as it was.) We took 
the oath—we su'ore to support the Constitution! Can it be did, when we do 
not feel constitutionally able to support ourselves ? 

An old patriarchal darkey, when interrogated as to his change in life, re¬ 
marked that “ I likes de liberty ob de new life berry well, massa: but den I 
likes de comforts ob de ole life berry much better!” 

Having received two months pay before leaving Germantown, our regiment 
was enabled to purchase all the necessaries of life in the line of wearing 
apparel and eatables, on arriving at Memphis, a sufficient time having been 
allowed by our gentlemanly brigade commander, Col. Mower. One word in 
connection with the purchases made by the officers and men. The business 
men in Memphis generally consist of what might be properly termed land- 
sharks. Their chief business seems to consist in preying on the scanty pay of 
the poor soldier. Enormous prices are charged for everything; in fact, they 
are from 100 to 200 per cent, higher than the former California prices. These 
patriotic business men make it a point to follow the army, and whenever a 
good business point is opened, by the advancement of the ai*my, these sharks 
are certain to be found following in our wake. The subject has been fully 
discussed by other writers; therefore, 1 need add nothing, except to say that 
we, too, have been victimized by these patriotic gentlemen. 

Everything being in readiness, our brigade left on transports, about 4 
o’clock, p. m.. on the 14tli inst We arrived at Helena on the morning of the 
loth. We made but a short stay here, when we started down stream, and 
arrived at our present location, about eight miles below Helena, on the 
Arkansas shere, opposite the mouth of Yazoo Pass. Our present camp is 
very limited. W r e have two brigades camped closely together on a narrow 
island of sand—the Mississippi river on one side, and a slough on the other. 
The water in each is continually rising, and daily, tents are required to be 
moved to keep us out of the wet, which, of course, packs us together more 
closely. The weather is exceedingly warm, and our narrow, contracted camp 
renders it a very unpleasant location. 

You will notice that I have not kept track of dates. My last, date was on 
board the steamer Empress, March 16th. This is the 21st. yesterday, about 
3 p. m., the steamer White Rose arrived from St. Genevie, having on board the 
field andstaff officers and seven companies of the lltli Wisconsin. The other 


126 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OK 


three companies are daily expected to arrive. Whither they are bound— 
whether to join our expedition or not—I am unable say. They have not yet 
disembarked. The officers and men are looking fine. 

As regards our destination nothing definite is known. We are daily ex¬ 
pecting transports to remove us to some scene of action. Reports say we 
are bound up the Yazoo Pass. 

I have endeavoured to give you an accurate account of our journeyings 
thus far, and, as our future is developed, will continue so to do. 

I must not close this communication without mentioning the high com¬ 
pliment paid to Capt. Young, of company “E,” by the commanding General, 
which has placed him in command of the division pioneer corps, made up of 
150 picked men, selected on account of their ability and skill in engineer and 
mechanical work. This important corps is subdivided into six detachments, 
under competent commissioned officers, and provided with extra transporta¬ 
tion, and a large amount of mechanical tools, for repairing railroads, con¬ 
structing fortifications for defence and approaches upon the enemy’s strong¬ 
holds. This attaches Capt. Young to the highest arm of the service, gives 
him an independent command, and is the more complimentary to him because 
it comes from military commanders in the field, who have the best facilities 
for knowing his military history for the year and a half that he has been 
attached to the army. He has been tried under the severest fire, and nor 
found Wanting, and we congratulate the “ Pioneer Corps of the 8th Division, 
Department of West Tennessee,” on being placed under the command of so 
gallant and meritorious an officer. 

Another fact worthy of note. To-day, for the first time since the 10th of 
May, 1862, have we the full compliment of field and staff. Maj. W. B. Brit¬ 
ton, newly appointed, just reached us on his return from accompanying his 
sick wife to her home in Wisconsin. His lady came to Germantown, Tenn., 
on a visit, while we were encamped at that place, and while there was taken 
very ill, and on our receiving orders to move, Maj. Britton—then Captain- 
obtained leave to accompany his wife to her home. During his absence, his 
commission as Major arrived. 

Of Col. Robbins, Lieut. Col. Jefferson and Maj. Britton, I need not speak. 
Their past deeds speak for them. Our staff officers also are universally liked. 
On the whole, we consider our regiment very fortunate in being so well 
officered, and you may rely upon it, that whenever and wherever called upon 
to do duty, the old Eighth will not disgrace herself or the state she has the 
honor of representing. 


O.n Board tiib Steamer “Ben. Franklin,” 

En route for “Dixie,” Monday, March, 80th, 1868. 

The bustle and confusion ever incident upon the breaking up of camp, 
preparatory to a hasty departure, is again over, and we are once more afloat! 
down the blue waters of the Mississippi river. As is usually the fortune, or 
rather the misfortune of the Eighth Wisconsin, orders came late at night on 
the 22d inst., to embark immediately, having patiently been waiting several 
days for the arrival of transports to convey us away from that loathsome 
locality, the men went at their work with the avidity and energy which ha« 
hitherto characterized them, and at early morn of the 20th, found every¬ 
thing' and every body snugly packed away on our staunch little steamer. 
Being then in readiness for the move, save the raging of the elements of 
rain and wind without, which, increasing in terror as the day wore away 
prevented our fleet from venturing from their fastenings on that rough un¬ 
broken shore. It was a terrible night for loading, and the wind so high, 



TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


127 


that in striking tents and packing up, the men were in eminent peril of 
being killed by the falling of trees that came crashing to the ground all 
around them. At 5 o’clock last evening, however, the storm having abated 
somewhat, our fleet started down the river to join the 1st Brigade, which 
had left the day previous, our fleet consisting of six transports, viz: The 
steamer Gray Eagle conveying 47th Illinois Yols., and brigade headquarters; 
steamer Ben. Franklin , with Eighth Wisconsin Vols., and a section of artil 
lery ; steamer Lancaster , with 11th Missouri Yols., and a section of artillery; 
steamer Alhambra , with 6th Minnesota Vols.; steamer Masonic Gem , with a 
battery of artillery, and one hospital transport. The auspices attending 
our embarkation and departure were not the most flattering, the weather 
continuing quite stormy and uncomfortable, and as our boat was laden down 
to the waters edge, threatened each moment to engulf us all beneath the 
angry waves. 

3ls£ inst. —We are again encamped at what is called ‘‘Transylvania 
Landing,” on shore of the Mississippi river, in Louisiana, having proceeded 
some 200 miles down the river, arriving at this point at early dawn this 
morning. Our trip thus far has not developed anything worthy of note, 
except the experience of a heavy snow storm, which set in yesterday after¬ 
noon, rendering it impossible for the pilots to follow the channel, conse¬ 
quently our fleet w r as compelled to seek refuge under the shore, where we 
lay for several hours, until the storm had blown over, when we proceeded 
on down the river, not knowing whither we were destined, neither did we 
care what our fate might be for the future, but trusting in luck, we kept up 
a stiff upper lip and resolved to enjoy ourselves at all hazards. We did en¬ 
joy ourselves, for a merrier crew never floated down the Mississippi river, 
and our enjoyment was mared only by one little circumstance, which I will 
here note : On the downward trip yesterday, there appeared to be some 
envy manifested between the captains of the steamer Lancaster and Ben. 
Franklin , each striving to lead the other on the trip—a race was imminent, 
and as we ventured a look out of the cabin window, we could see that our 
rival was attempting to pass us by with impunity. But Ben. Franklin got his 
*‘mad up,” and soon the fact was proven conclusively that Ben. was not to 
be beaten so easily. Side by side the two boats went puffing and blowing 
down the river, each eager to hoist the broom of superiority—there was a 
great deal of puffing and blowing among the passengers too—bets ran high 
—money was staked, and the chaplain wore a downcast look, while your 
humble servant was looking into the water, in search of an easy place to 
jump, providing there should be a “biler bustin’’ anywhere. The men kept 
up a continual cheering, which, of course, encouraged old i^n.and we soon 
went skipping to the front under “high colors.” But, alas, for victory won 
at so dear a price. The colonel commanding brigade on board Gray Eagle , had 
not been asleep the while, for when our boat came up in hailing distance, he 
ordered the Ben. Franklin and Lancaster lashed together, that no more racing 
should be done—sad punishment this, but the boats had violated an order, 
and now had to take a-lashing! This is all that came under my eye worthy 
of note. Wo will await further developments and report accordingly. 

Well, I declare, Mr. Inquisitive, here we have just completed our camp, 
with the erection of all our tents, got everything in “apple sass” order for 
living, and what think you now is the order ? To ro-embark on Ben. Frank¬ 
lin immediately, and proceed without delay to some other locality. Some 
one has accidentally fired his gun off, and a battle is looked for not far 
distant. 

April 2 d. —And the conclusion of this sketch, my hearers, finds us en¬ 
camped near Young’s Point, La., nine miles above Vicksburg, and two miles 
above the lamous fleet now anchored opposite the mouth of the Yazoo river 
(not Yazoo Pass.) All the notable generals who are to figure conspicuously 


128 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


s,t the seige of Vicksburg, are quietly and comfortably quartered in that vast 
city of floating dwellings, on steamers and other crafts. The largest craft 
is General Grant, named in honor of the general commanding, and who is the 
most crafty one among them. Over three hundred steamers, gunboats, tugs, 
etc., can be seen from this point, all waiting for something to turn up. Hav- 
mg reported at the fleet yesterday, we remained but a short time, and after 
a briet consultation with Gen. Grant on the plans of the coming campaign 
and the prospect for a cotton “speck,” the general retired, and we fell back 
m good order to our original position. I cannot describe the scene that en¬ 
sued immediately succeeding my entry into the presence of so distinguished 
a personage. I have seen “Gen. D. Bility ” and “Gen. Trainins” ’fore now, 
but wheii modesty shrinks before the presence of so superior an “hofficer” 
as Ulyssis S., it takes the tuck and the natur clean eout ef a feller. We ap¬ 
proach 1 m with respect, cuz he orders it, but when he commands, we 
- ®? la P se . m the flue,” and, like a candle, go clean eout! We am a narvous 
individual, and specially when brought in close proximity with such Immi¬ 
nent men. I will Grant that its more’n I can stand, ’specially if I have no 
particular buszmgness with him. Once in his presence, you are powerless, 
and become as humble as a sick kitten before a basin of lobbered milk—a 
dizziness ensues—the brain reels, and you are gone up. 

Imagine my amazement and chargin, when pent up to so high a state of 
non-speakability, and pity what may seem in your eye a lack of good common 
sense, when in reality it was nothing more or less than the respect we enter¬ 
tained for the commanding general. We were too full for utterance upon 
this eventful occasion, and when the commanding general designed to ask us 
for a chaw o tobaccar,” we barely mustered strength enough to respond, 
yfe n ~ e ~ v ~ e -f chaw! Yes, we have seen the “chief warrior ” 
and take infinite pleasure in announcing to the anxious assemblage that he 
is a man, a, gentle man and a scholar—composed of flesh and blood, bone and 

Xhl!’ ? e r?t as ? U °u her men ’ with equal rights and more privileges—is 
affable, kind at heart, a brave soldier, and a “bully feller.” One feature we 

have noticed m his character as being remarkably beneficial to the army, 
ways GranJed? 11 ^ * faV ° r 18 sent to him ’ he connot disapprove it—it is al- 

On our downward trip large and magnificent plantations greet the eye as 
we pass aiong the shores °f the Mississippi river, each having the appear¬ 
ance of being a small village m itself. Tasty cottages for the negroes?and 
dwel mgs of the Proprietor of each plantation, presented a 
scene to the stranger s eye, so unusual to a Northerner, that we could not 
help gazing at therm Many of the wealthy planters have left their homes 
passing beyond our lines, leaving their blacks to take care of their property’ 
untal the storm that is raging in their country shall have passed away P 

fronfIi n M°* ne int -° C T P . at this P ° int on the lst inst *- and re ^ed somewhat, 
rom the fatigues incident to steamboat travel, we went to work and fitted 

ar0Und camp for the better bealt h aad comfort of the 
men, and at this time we ean pronounce the camp of the Eighth Wisconsin 
far superior to any of the others in the brigade, owing probably to the fact 
that we have more ground and a better location. The policing is systematic 
being under the immediate supervision of a responsible officer, who acts as 
inspector of camp. We have but ten men in the regiment at’present unfit 
f T ? Ut J~- thlS speak ' s wel ! f ? r those who have charge of that department 

are ext r® mel y laborious, the entire command being detailed on 
fatigue duty every alternate day. We are digging another canal at th^ 
point, which is to be completed in a few days, and then, perhaps, we may 
take a trip around in the rear of the henemy. Captain Young, command^ 
pioneer corps, is constructing flat-boats for that purpose. ending 

We have warm days, but the nights are cold, damp and unhealthy. Even 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


129 


in our tents at night, the atmosphere is so damp and heavy, that our blank¬ 
ets m the morning are completely saturated with moisture. Yesterday the 
regiment received four months back pay—up to the first of March—and to- 
* n compliance with orders from Gen. Grant, the regiment was mustered, 
it is finally settled that our organization is at last complete, and I will here 
announce it for those that may feel interested. The Eighth Wisconsin is at 
present in the Second Brigade, commanded by Brig. Gen’l Mower • Third 
Division, commanded by Brig. Gen’l Tuttle; Fifteenth Army Corps, com- 
manded by Major Gen’l Sherman; Department of the Tennessee, command¬ 
ed by Major Gen’l Grant. ’ 

The election in the Eighth Regiment for Chief Justice, gave a large 
majority for Dixon. 6 

We have received no mail since arriving at this point, therefore you will 
please take the hint and send us some reading matter. 


1*1 the klockade. 

Camp of Eighth Wis. Vols., near Young’s Point, La., 

April 17, 1863. 

We were very pleasantly engaged for about two or three hours last eve¬ 
ning, listening to the thunder and roar of secesh cannon and the bursting of 
their shells—from ten o’clock till near two this morning. The whole heavens 
were continually lighted up by the rapid discharge of some 300 rebel guns, 
and the roar of artillery was almost incessant. 

The enemy were somewhat astonished, I guess, when they saw six iron¬ 
clad gun-boats, and three transport steamers, rounding the point and coming 
straight towards their strong hold, and thought to stop them, but the thun¬ 
der of their heaviest guns, and the whiz of their 160-pound balls did not 
change their course. They still kept on amidst the iron hail that threatened 
destruction to the whole fleet, with our convoy of flat-boats, scows and barges 
After a while our gun-boats began to return the fire, and shortly our fort 
opposite Vicksburg opened on the city. The rebels set fire to a building 
and burned “Drummond Lights,” in order to observe our movements on the 
river. Then came the Benton , Louisville and Turtle , then came the trans¬ 
ports Forest Queen , Silver Wave and JJenry Clay, and then came tivo other 
gun-boats of lesser light, followed by the iron-clad Tusqmibia. The enemy 
strained every possible nerve to put the gun-boats out of the way, and the 
whole surrounding country trembled with the tremendous thunder of their 
artillery discharges. But, of a sudden, it was discovered that the Henry Clay 
was on fire. The cotton with which she was partially protected had taken 
fire and quickly spread to the steamer, and she soon floated down the 
stream a mass of flames. Thirty-nine shots struck her before she sank. 
She had but four men on her—an engineer, two firemen and a pilot. They, 

1 believe, reached the shore in safety. The rest of the fleet passed in safety 
—got below the batteries and out of danger. 

Tt was, indeed, a most magnificent spectacle, witnessed, as it was, from the 
point above the canal, a distance of only three miles. Arriving at an early 
hour at the point designated, where our little transport was to make a stand, 
we saw the fleet as it passed down, and awaited with much interest the 
opening of the contest. Onward, down the stream they floated through the 
darkness of the night. All was tranquil, and quiet reigned supreme. An 
hour elapsed, it seemed a day, when a rocket went shooting up through the 
misty way, warning us that they were mindful of our approach. Presently 
one of their largest guns belched forth the music, which was taken up by 

9 



130 


OPENING OP TIIE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


the whole choir, who executed their several parts in admirable style and 
with good effect. The ball opens with a grand overture by the whole com¬ 
pany. The tableau that was there presented to the eye of the spectator 
was truly grand—magnificent. The continual flashing of the cannon, and the 
thundering roar as it came vibrating through the air along the shores ©f the 
river, caused the very ground to tremble. But not much damage was done, 
and the object was accomplished in good style, and done at the right time. 

About 2 o’clock this morning the lower batteries at Warrenton (rebel) 
opened fire for half an hour, but I know not what at, or with what success. 
This morning about day dawn, the ball opened again, with the prolonged roar 
from our fort opposite Vicksburg. We were now at work indeed, playing on 
the city. The music has continued ever since, and is still going on at °this 
writing—three p. m. „ 

You have probably heard a six pound gun, but you have not probably had 
a chance to hear one of our 15 inch guns, that carry a ball weighing about 
220 pounds, and requiring 23 pounds of powder to fire them. The spectacle 
is sublime, and its effect upon the nerves of a timid person can easily be im¬ 
agined, when the sound is felt as well as heard for many miles from where it 
. starts. It beggars all description that can.be given, but you can fancy the 
heaviest thunder and lightning storm you ever experienced, and you can 
form but a faint idea of it. The same continual flashing and roaring that 
makes a man feel that heaven’s artillery has been outrivaled. It must be 
seen and heard to be appreciated in all its terrific grandeur and terrible de¬ 
struction. Trees three feet in diameter are whipped off as easily as a man 
can cut a corn-stalk with a sharp axe, and nothing can seem to withstand 
the fury of such an awful storm of iron hail. 


On the Battlefield near Vicksburg, 
Saturday, May 23d, 1863. 

This letter conies to you from the bloody battlefield of Vicksburg from a 
scene loathsome to the eye, and sickening to the heart that possesses sympa¬ 
thy for those that lie around us, writhing in the agonies of death and suffer¬ 
ing. Another desperate charge has been made, and a thousand brave boys 
who went in to share the fate of victory or death, to-day lie around us in 
the close embrace of death; and while the cannon roar is hushed for a while 
to be revived with double fury ere long, please seat yourself beside me 
while we sketch our journeyings from our last old camp near Young’s Point 
and mark the success we have met with, and fatigues we have necessarily 
been compelled to endure during a march of some twenty days, through a 
tract of country where traitors lurked and schemed the downfall of our 
Government. 

Our “ new canal,’’ at Duck Port, having proven an unsuccessful enterprise, 
m consequence of the rapid fall of the river, a wagon road was constructed 
which answered the purpose as well, and on the 2d day of May inst our 
division wheeled into column on the banks of the Mississippi river? and 
started on our march to join the army that had preceded us, to take part in 
the great enterprise of reducing the rebel stronghold—Vicksburg. Marched 
along the canal, following on down Walnut Bayou, and went into camp six 
miles out; passed some fine plantations, found ripe blackberries in abund¬ 
ance, and large fields of growing corn three feet in height. 

May Sd— Left camp at 6 a m., passing along Walnut Bayou, with steady 
tread and frequent halts, our march tins day was an easy one. Trains were 
delayed sometime m consequer.ee of the roads being not very irood Foil n it 
an abundance of ripe mulberries, and saw quite a number of alligators. 



TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


131 


some six feet long, basking in the warm sunshine as we passed along the 
banks of the bayous. These hideous looking animals are said to be harm¬ 
less, and will not molest any one unless in self defense. Our march of 
fifteen miles, brought us to the village of Richmond, La., at 4 p. m., where 
we went into camp on the banks of Rayou Macon. Found an abundance of 
good water, and the boys improved it by plunging into its cool and refresh¬ 
ing waters. 

May 4th .—Broke camp at early dawn and marched a distance of fourteen 
miles. On the route we met 450 secesh prisoners, taken at Port Oibson a 
few days before. This day’s march brought us through a fertile tract of 
country, over a road cut along the levee by our pioneer corps; halted for 
an hour or two at the plantation of one Capt. Holmers, and after an hour’s 
march therefrom, arrived in camp on Smith’s plantation, three miles north 
of New Carthage. During the night we were favored with a heavy shotvcr 
of rain, which settled the roads from dust, before, were almost suffocating. 

May 5th .—Left camp at 8 o’clock, a. m. The weather was cool, and the 
roads remarkably good. We made fourteen miles this day. I saw one 
plantation which was ten miles long and five miles wide. Traveled on one 
vast plantation nearly all day. Such a vast extent of territory, and such 
extensive corn and cotton fields, I never expected to see. As far as the eye 
can reach, the waving corn, nearly three feet high, and vast fields of cotton 
meet you on every hand. We arrived in camp, at Perkins’ plantation, on 
the Mississippi river, thirty-two miles below Vicksburg, at 4 o’clock, p. m. 
The proprietor of this vast estate is a member of the rebel Congress; and 
rather than risk his magnificent mansion falling into the hands of the Fed- 
erals, set fire to his home and surroundings, and burned them to the ground. 
Our troops camped in his park, beneath the shade of the most beautiful 
trees and shrubbery that I ever saw. We met here the 18th Wisconsin, and 
had the pleasure of shaking hands with many old friends. 

May 5th .—We resumed our march at 6 a. m. This day our route lay along 
the levee, for two or three miles, and then turned to the right, until we 
reached the shores of Lake St. Joseph. This lake is a narrow body of 
water, twenty miles long. In former times it was the bed of the Mississippi 
river, and is now connected with it by a bayou, at Hard Times Landing. 
Its gently sloping banks are bordered with cypress and live-oak trees, from 
whose branches hang the greenest of foliage, interspersed with pendants of 
Spanish moss. The effect, as seen from the plantations to the right of the 
road, is extremely picturesque and beautiful. In this lake, alligators of the 
largest size were seen floating sluggishly along, near the shores. I have 
some scales which I captured from the back of one of these unoffending 
“iron-clads.” They are a curiosity indeed, and would make charming ear 
pendants for timid young ladies. 

The plantations on the shore of this little lake are generally of the better 
class, with elegant dwellings, and everything surrounding to make a home 
cheerful. Wealth has been lavished bountifully for the better comfort and 
ease of their occupants. Men of wealth, of education, refinement and taste 
once lived here; but now, alas! for the fate of war, these beautiful man¬ 
sions have been deserted. The house of Dr. Bowie—and the same is true 
of every plantation on the lake—was filled with furniture of the costliest 
character: sofas, beds, carpets, pianos, and libraries, all of which were left 
to the mercy of our soldiers. The wanton destruction occasioned by this 
causeless skedaddle is almost past belief. Beautiful carpets were strewed 
with the debris of broken pianos, mirrors, chairs, tables, etc. The cost of 
the furniture left behind by Dr. Bowie could not have been less than about 
$20,000. I saw the buildings on six plantations on fire at one time. The 
negroes left behind were old and decrepid, and worthless as slaves. 

It is a common mistake to imagine that the enemy in these places are suf- 


132 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


fering for the want of food. The country through which we passed this day 
demonstrates that army supplies in the Southern Confederacy are not en¬ 
tirely exhausted. Upon every plantation were great numbers of well fatted 
cattle, and thousands of bushels of excellent corn. Almost every foot of 
arable land between Perkins’ Plantation and Hard Times Landing, and be¬ 
tween the lake and the bayou, three miles into the interior, is green with 
growing food. The famous cotton fields have, since the beginning of the 
war, been converted into fields for the special purpose of growing corn, etc. 

We went into camp on a fine plantation on the shores of Lake St. Joseph. 
The field and statf of the Eighth Wisconsin had a chase after two stray 
deer, near nightf'al, and after an hour’s pursuit, captured one of them, thus 
affording a delicious repast, having for several days been limited in the sup¬ 
ply of rations. 

May 7th .—We broke camp at an early hour, and arrived at Hard Times 
Landing, La., at 3 p. m. Crossed the Mississippi river, to Grand Gulf, on 
the gunboat Louisville. Visited the late rebel batteries, and saw five large 
guns which w'ere captured by our forces, at this point, on the 28th of April. 
We encamped here for the night, and waited in vain for our baggage train 
to come over. 

May 8th .—Started over the hills from Grand Gulf, on the road leading to 
Port Gibson. No baggage allowed to cross the river. The roads were very 
dusty, and the weather exceedingly warm. Marched eight miles, and en¬ 
camped in the woods on the bluffs. 

May 9th .—Regiment remained in camp until 3 p. m. Three companies 
were sent out foraging. Left, and marched five miles to Rocky Springs, 
Miss. Went into camp near Generals Grant and Sherman’s headquarters. 

May l(hA.—This is Sunday, the 10th inst. Remained in camp at Rocky 
Springs all day—heard a chaplain in an adjoining regiment preaching the 
gospel to the wearied soldiers—very eloquent and instructive. Worried out 
the day in sleeping and reading advertisements in an old Tribune of 1862. 
Waiting for orders to move, but rather remain and rest awhile. Everythin 
quiet. A pontoon train joins our division at sundown, and troops are con¬ 
tinually coming up. 

May 1 1th .—Marched from Rocky Springs at 6 a. m. Roads very dusty_ 

almost suffocating—cannot distinguish the head of our column, so much 
dust in the air. Our march extended fourteen miles, through a rough, bluffy 
tract of country, over hills and through valleys, with scarcity of’water. 
Encamped on extreme front, on Barr’s Plantation, seven miles from Black 
River Bridge, where the enemy are strongly fortified. Heard heavy cannon¬ 
ading all day on our left, in direction of the bridge. 

May 12th .—Marched at 10 a. m. Three miles out found a bridge burned by 
the enemy to impede our progress. Skirmished with the enemy, and drove 
him back. Gen. Sherman and staff followed in rear of our regiment all day 
The general paid a high compliment to the Eighth and our eagle. Encamped 
at 4 p.m., about seven miles west of Raymond. Slept on arms all night. 
Nothing to eat but hard tack, confiscated secesh molasses, and sage tea 
Troops much fatigued, and out of rations. 

May 18th. Resumed the march at 4£ a. m. Arrived at Raymond at 10 
a. m. 1 ound the town and nearly all the rebel property destroyed and 
burned. Our column having halted at this point, the town was crowded with 
troops. Saw many secesh prisoners who were captured during a sharp lit¬ 
tle engagement the day before, two miles west of the town. This place pre¬ 
sented a mournful appearance. Shattered buildings and deserted hotels 
were the only objects of attraction left standing, and they were fast being 
converted into hospitals. The secesh women were exceedingly attentive to 
their soldiers, and seemed to spare no pains for the better comfort of their 
afflicted friends. We fastened our mule in a fine clover field adjoining an 


TWO TEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


133 


elegant city residence; the occupants had fled from the town that morning, 
leaving everything at the mercy of the troops. We entered that dwelling, 
only to gaze upon a scene truly saddening. Every conceivable article of 
furniture, some of which was of the most elegant and costly character, lay 
strewed in one confused mass over the floors. Pianos, chairs, carpets, mir¬ 
rors, family portraits, and the library, with its rich volumes, lay tattered and 
torn in, pieces. The cellar and larders, which were stored full for family use 
by its careful superintendent, were broken open, and everything taken 
therefrom. An old negress only, remained behind to note the advancement 
of our troops upon her master’s home, and upon being interrogated as to 
how she liked to see her master’s px*operty so destroyed, and how she would 
do now they were gone, exclaimed: “Oh! Lor! Massa! me been praying to 
de Lor dis forty years for deliberancc, and now Massa Lickum has set us 
free, and I am delibered Found a spring near this house, and refreshed 
ourselves with a good cup of sage tea and some warm hoe cake, made by 
this kind old black woman. After halting at this point, and resting some 
time, two o’clock found us again on the move. Skirmished with the enemy 
at five p. m., and encamped near the celebrated Mississippi Springs in line 
of battle. 

May 14M.—This was the 14th day of May, and a gala day for our troops. We 
were moving on cautiously and steadily through a heavy shower of rain 
towards the city of Jackson, the capital of Mississippi. McPherson was 
fighting on our left. Met the enemy and drove him before us. The shells 
were bursting all around us, and the sharp crack of musketry mingled with 
the loud peals of thunder from the heavens, rendered this a most grand, sub¬ 
lime scene. Generals Sherman and Mower are riding rapidly by—orders 
come to charge bayonets—double quick ! The^army is in motion, our ban¬ 
ners are unfurled to the breeze, and notwithstanding we have made a fatigu¬ 
ing march of some nine miles, over heavy roads, the men are eager for the 
affray. The enemy are falling back, and their artillery is less effective. With 
a rush and a yell that would have frightened the savages, our brigade went, 
in upon them—charged the rebels across the fields, and at 3 p. m. captured 
the city of Jackson, all the enemy’s artillery and a large amount of small 
arms and other valuable property. Our brigade went cheering up through 
the streets of the city on double quick, amid the wild huzzas of the victors, to 
to the state capitol, where we took up our quarters—the enemy to the num¬ 
ber of some eight thousand, under General Joe Johnston, having fled in a 
southerly direction. We tore down the rebel flag from the dome of the state 
house and placed our own proud banner there, where in triumph it floated 
during our stay in town. 

Gen. Grant and staff took up headquarters at the “Bowman House”— 
Gen. Sherman and staff occupied a magnificent dwelling near the centre of 
the city. Gen. Tuttle found neat and comfortable quarters in the suburbs of 
the city. Gen. Mower, commanding our brigade, occupied the “Supreme 
Court Room,” in the capitol. Col. Robbins, Eighth Wisconsin, in office of 
“ Judges of Errors and Appeals.” Col. Webber, 11th Mo., in “ Secretary of 
State” room. Col. Hubbard, 5th Minn., in “Attorney General’s Office. Col. 
Cromwell, 48th III., in the office of “State Librarian.” Lieut. Col. Jefferson. 
Provost Marshal, occupied the “State Treasurer’s Office,” which was crowded 
day and night by the citizens and refugees seeking protection at our hands. 
Surgfeon Murta, of our regiment, occupied the “Land Offices,” where he ad¬ 
ministrated to the afflictions of many of the prisoners, as well as our own men 
that were sick. The senate and assembly halls were crowded with prisoners. 

May 15th .—Regiment was on provost duty, and Lieut. Col. Jefferson ap¬ 
pointed Provost Marshal of the city. Destruction of rebel stores immense. 
Our forces burned the railroad depot, and tore up the track leading toward 
Vicksburg. The “ Confederate House,” penitentiary and many buildings 



134 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


known to be the property of rebels, was consigned to the flames. The citi¬ 
zens, men and boys, were in the trenches assisting in the defense of the city 
but their courage failed them when they saw the glittering of our bayonets 
and heard the wild cheering of our advancing troops. They gave way, fled 
to their homes, and are this day with downcast and desponding faces, see’king 
protection at our hands, pleading that their property may be spared from the 
ruthless hand of the “ Yankee invader.” Notwithstanding it has been the 
fate of many of her citizens to share the circumstance of war by the destruc¬ 
tion of their property, the city still stands, and her magnificent capitol, with 
its costly and valuable records, where foul treason was first ordained, was 
not violated, but left unharmed as a monument of disgrace for them to re¬ 
flect upon, when peace shall have been proclaimed, and the Union, unsevered 
be honored by all the nations of the earth. 

May 16M.—Our forces marched from Jackson at 11 o’clock, a. m„ with 
rebel cavalry at our heels. Col. Cromwell, of 47th Illinois Volunteers, having 
returned to the city to look after stragglers, etc., was captured, and has not 
been heard from since. Report says he was shot by a citizen in the street. 
Many of the “colored population” fell in behind our train, and every mule 
and florse, together with wagons and carriages, were appropriated by the 
blacks for conveying their bundles of household goods, etc. Passed the vil¬ 
lage ot Clinton at 7 p. m., and encamped sixteen miles out from Jackson at 
zji: m * „ ^ “? rmn S’ having made a tedious march, with scarcity of 
rations, all that night. Our men were much fatigued and foot-sore 

May \m .—Resumed the march at 5 a. m., arriving at Black River Bridge 
skirmishe ^ vltl1 enemy, drove him back, took possession of 
the bndge, captured thn-ty-dght pieces of artillery and 5,000 prisoners. 

May 18^ —Crossed over with troops, train, etc., in safety, and encamped 

number^ fi ° • he the WOods - Saw man y P™oners and quite a 

number of fine pieces of artillery, captured the day previous. 

^ division broke camp, marched sixteen miles to the enemy’s 
works in rear of Vicksburg, and took position with the balance of Sherman’s 
corps, who had been fighting all day. onerman s 

May 20th. Lay under the enemy’s works skirmishing all day. All of our 
batteries open on the enemy while the gunboats bombard the city at every 

onen vvhTthpY'T' ■ v 67 Str0ngly f ° rtified ’ but our communication is 
open with the north via Yazoo river, two miles on our right. Haines’ Bluff on 

our right, and Warrenton on our left, are in our possession. We are steadily 
advancing and closing in upon the city. ^ 

May 21st. We occupy the same position as yesterday. Heavy firing is 

tZ g s S U ? t y y a 0U - r batteries * Gen - G ™nt has the confidence of his 
succeeds in capturing the city, which I doubt not will be 
11 haVG a ? bie 7 ed a victory that has never been surpassed in bril¬ 
liancy in any campaign in the history of this rebellion. Distinguished gen- 

thedpf ay that the ^w- n i se ? of Sebast °P o1 were mere shadows compared with 
the defenses around Vicksburg—I verily believe it. We have toork before us 
if we attempt to take the place by storm. A soldier in the 1st Mo (rebel ) 
after firing about a dozen rounds into the ranks of the 8th Mo (Federal! 
finds his. brother has been shooting at him all day long. At nightfall thev 

drop their guns, meet, shake hands, bid each other good-bye, and return to 
their respective posts of duty. 6 * ’ leturn to 

May 22d. Last evening we received an order from the general cornmand- 
mg to be prepared at 10 o clock this morning for a combined assault on the 
enemy s works. It was attempted, and with what success you will see At 
10 a. m the signal was given. The batteries opened their sulphurous mouths 
and sent death and destruction into their stronghold. The gunboats on the 
nver (we are in Slg ht of them) commenced a bombardment onthe cUy Om 
troops, W1 th McClernand s corps on the left, McPherson’s in the eenfr'e, and 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


135 


Sherman’s on the right, marched forth to face the storm of iron hail that 
came like a whirlwind showering into our ranks. Our forces moved steadily 
onward to meet the enemy, who were now at work in earnest, dealing their 
demon-like missiles with ten fold fury into our solid columns. It was a time 
that tried men’s souls; and while many wavered and trembled with fear, 
those who advanced with a cool and steady tread onward to meet death, 
which seemed to stare them in the face, should receive the reward of a gen¬ 
erous people. The 2d brigade rushed forward into the lion’s angry mouth, 
with a yell and a bound, at double quick, with bayonets fixed. They charged 
most furiously up to the very brink of the ditch, which was already heaped 
with the bodies of the dead and dying, who lay gasping in the last dying 
agonies of torture and pain. A most loathsome scene ! The keen whistle of 
musketry, and the deafening roar of artillery made the bravest falter when 
they approached the ditch. Our flag was planted upon the ramparts, but it 
was impossible to scale the works at this point, and amid the shower of hot 
lead that came pouring into our ranks, we fell back in good order to our 
original position. Night comes on—a most desperate assault has been made— 
hundreds, yea, thousands, of brave fellows have fallen in the charge, and 
still the rebel works are not ours. 

Quite a number of rebels had taken refuge in the tops of trees during the 
engagement, for the purpose of picking off our officers. Our sharpshooters, 
however, brought many of them tumbling to the ground as soon as they were 
discovered. 

After our troops had gained the ditch, and being unable to cross over, the 
rebels amused themselves by throwing hand grenades and lighted shells over 
into our ranks, so close were our men, as they lay under their fortifications. 
The rebels cursed and damned the Yankees, and told them to get out of 
1 he ditch, or they would kill every one of them. Our men were equally saucy, 
and told them to fire away, for they had already been through hell, and could 
stand all such shelling as that! 

Our colors were riddled some by the enemy’s fire. Our eagle flapped his 
wings lustily, went into the fight with an eagerness characteristic of his past 
heroic deeds, and came out again without losing a feather from his noble 
pinions. 

May 24th, 9 a. m. Later .—Gen. Grant, in an order this morning, acknow¬ 
ledges that Vicksburg cannot be taken by assault, and it is to be besieged on 
scientific military principles. A telegaphic chain is being rapidly constructed 
around our lines. The rebels admit that the place is ours by besiege, but 
not by assault. 

We have already captured 7,030 prisoners, who have been forwarded North, 
besides about 300 who have been paroled. 

Our loss in this action was 5 killed and 20 wounded, among the former, 
was Lieut. W. D. Chapman, Co. “F,” and the latter, Lieut. Col. Jefferson, 
slightly, and Capt. Stephen Estee, Co. “H,” severely. 


Young’s Point, La., Sunday, July 5tli, 1863. 

In strange contrast with the startling scenes of carnage, and the deafning 
roar of artillery around us, is the calm, sweet serenity of this beautiful 
Sabbath morning. So quiet that a feeling of loneliness creeps around the 
heart of one accustomed to hearing the constant booming of cannon and 
the sharp crack of musketry, and why have the iron throats of these sav¬ 
age monsters been hushed? Is it because it is the Sabbath day of rest that 
this holy calm prevades the hitherto exciting scenes around us? 

No, the tumultuous chaos of two great contending armies have ceased their 



13 ,; 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


struggles, and tlie Federal arms have gained another victory over the wiley 
1 Vicksburg, as you have long ere this been informed, has surrendered 
alter being besieged for forty-seven days. It was a gala day for our troops’ 
I assure you, and the 4th of July was never before celebrated in Vicksburg 
with such a right hearty good feeling as on yesterday. The mortars on the 
point opposite the city, with the accompanying chorus from the distant 
gunboats had kept our ears in a perfect hum for many long weeks, until 
they became like household words, familiar to the ear, and no longer a terror 
as at its introduction. But the sound of battle strife has ceased for a while’ 
and our army now breathes the pure air of freedom once again Victory 
is perched upon our blood-stained and tattered banners, and the heart of 
ie gieat North, which has evinced so much restlessness and anxiety for the 
result of our success, may now leap for joy, and smile at the happy and 
successful aclnevments of the Federal arms. And though we regret that 
n0 , ble Wood has been sacrificed in the attempt torXeS 
t f y ct such is the fate of war, and he whose misfortune it has been 

In. ! l , 6 ?, ,8Cl T? c oi 1,,s <i,!t y> wm feceive the praise and honor 

ue a brave and1 noble patriot. 1 eaoe and honor to the departed dead—we 
honored them for their deeds of bravery while living, we will now sin si 
of^hofm. 0 ^ thorn graves, and entwine around their head-stones a garland 

.v, bel rlen . ds “ ay receiT « the oonsolation that they are not 
forgotten by their comrades in arms. 

There had been but little firing on either side during the day previous to 
the surrender and many were the surmises as to what was the*cause of the 
unusual cessation. It was whispered around in military circles, that Grant 
intended to celebrate the anniversary of our National Independence in the 
city that our approaches were sufficient to warrant another desperate as¬ 
sault upon the enemy’s works, and that we were to take the placed storm 
some time duung the following day. This, 1 am convinced, was Gen Grant’s 

m ST’ an f, was so beheved among his subordinates. It was also sur¬ 
mised, from the appearance of a flag of truce which made its appearance 
early in the afternoon of Friday the 3d, that Grant and Pemberton we£e 
bavmg an interview relative to the surrender of the city, and all waited in 

Wi ilp h - S8 tr SpenSe the ch . een ?S announcement that Vicksburg was ours 
While in this suspense, the silence was broken by the appearance of Gen’ 
Pemberton and staff, who approached our lines bearing in his hand a fiao- of 
truce which was received by Gen. Grant with all the fourtesy dae from one 
high in rank. They met. with a smile, each recognizing the other as old 
class-mates at West Point-shook hands and dismounted, and while Gen 
r y S r Staff . ® nt er tam ed the gentlemanly officers of Pemberton’s staff the 
two distinguished generals proceeded arm in arm to the shade of an old oak 
ree near by-throwing themselves leisurely upon the grass/ground beneath 
the old shade tree they reviewed the past in all kindness, and kughed ls 
jocoseiy as if they had been daily associates and friends, instead oftoteadly 
foes. Grant, reverted to the national troubles, and regretted that so eross 

nnoH Vl1 r ted between thls orice Prosperous people, and while Grant sat 
coolly chewing away upon a stub of a cigar, (one of his peculiar traits ( 

didn’t propose to take charge of the place any longer undo? toTTl r 
auspices of the present occasion. Grant agreed to Relieve him nf , P . eculiaT 
mand, and after taking a; chaw of tobacoTfc 

meet again the following day m the city. y sepaiateu to 


TWO Y K A US’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


137 


At 11 a. m., yesterday—the 4th of July—Gen. Logan’s Division marched 
into the city, with banners flying and music playing, and at noon the stars 
and stripes were unfurled from the top of the Court House. It was not long 
before the city was swarming with Federal soldiery, and the city once more 
assumed the appearance of life and animation. Admiral Porter, with his 
fleet, came “rounding to,” and soon the shore was closely hemmed in by the 
steamers which now lined the levee. Bands were flaying, troops were 
marching to and fro through the streets, and the cannon opened the National 
salute at noon, which was kept up by the gunboats till after 2 o’clock, p. m. 
Gen. Logan was immediately placed in command of the post, and the prison¬ 
ers were kept under close guard. The force taken was over 27,000 prisoners, 
and between 4,000 and 5,000 non-combatants. There were a’so taken 103 
field pieces, 30 seige guns, 5,000 stands of arms, ammunition in vast quan¬ 
tities, locomotives, cars, and 87 stands of colors. Among the distinguished 
prisoners captured are Lieut. Gen. Pemberton, Major Generals Smith, For¬ 
ney, Bowen and Stephenson, fourteen or fifteen brigadier generals, and 
and about one hundred and thirty colonels. Only 15,000 of the garrison are 
reported able for duty, about 6,000 being sick and wounded in hospitals. 
Nearly every building in the town is used as a hospital, and great destitution 
prevailed among them, previous to the surrender, which induced them, no 
doubt, to surrender the sooner. They were actually reduced to mule meat! 
I am convinced that they could not have maintained their position much 
longer. 

The terms of capitulation allow the officers and men to be parolled here. 
The former are to retain their side arms, Jhorses and personal property. 
They arc being furnished with subsistence, and rations have been issued to 
all the prisoners for three days. They seem to take hold of “hard tack ” 
with a hearty good will. The ladies—of whom there are not a few in the 
city —are quite amused at the rescue; but the officers, when interrogated as 
to the result, rather disdain the idea of being considered captives. They 
claim that the surrender was not unconditional, when Gen. Grant, out of 
courtesy, for their noble defense of the city, allowed them the honors of war 
to retain their side arms, horses, etc. 

Of the surrender. No event since the commencement of the rebellion has 
caused the nation to rejoice so much as the fall of Vicksburg. It has been 
universally regarded as the most impregnable point we have been compelled 
to work against, and many were the doubts of its being reduced, yet, while 
Gen. Grant was allowed to command the helm, our faith was strong and we 
only looked for final success, if he was allowed time and means. He has ac¬ 
complished a great and magnanimous work. Take his movements since our 
forces left Milliken’s Bend on the first of May last; tr ice his foosteps across 
the country to the Mississippi river at Grand Gulf, his victories at that point, 
his march through the enemy’s country, capture of Port Gibson, his fight at 
Champion Hills and later at Raymond, capture of the city of Jackson, Miss., 
of his victories on the Black river, by driving a superior rebel force from 
their chosen position, of the fights at Mechanicsburg, Yazoo City and Rich¬ 
mond, and finally, the crowning wreath of his laurels, the capture of Vicks¬ 
burg on the glorious 4th of July. Gen. Grant has won the confidence of 
the entire army, as being a general of no ordinary attainments, and should 
receive the pi’aise of the whole nation. 

The city of Vicksburg presents not a very dilapidated appearance—not so 
much so as one would naturally expect from the amount of shot and shell 
that has been thrown into it. Few buildings are shattered in pieces, and 
not a great number have been damaged by the shells from our mortars. The 
Court House received a few shots, as likewise did the large brick church 
which stands on a high eminence in fair view of our guns. Gen Pember¬ 
ton’s headquarters were on a very high hill near the central part of the city. 


138 


OPENING OP THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


and too high for the range of our guns; therefore he was not molested, 
while he had an opportunity of observing our movements with impunity. 
The city seems to be literally cut up into caves. I saw more than a hundred 

tftMrW* 6 ^? r \ the 1 P la f es 111 which the citizens and non-combatants 
took refuge when the bombardment became too warm for them. These caves 

fonml d wUb n ° the / ld . e bllls .f or m any feet, and rooms of the largest size were 
ThPSP meandering walks, and antique carvings around the door-ways. 
These noveity works afforded not only a safe retreat, but also a cool resort 
from thescorchmg sun during the heat of the day. In our underground walks 

ZdevZ'tf C T 8 1 ? ° r 8 V th tableS ’ sof aB and library if as complete 
Wn 1 f ou . t - door dwelling. We also entered rooms that had 

been occupied by the aristocracy of the town, with costly furniture and 

ns P frnm PamtingS °T nam ® ntin g their walls. They suffered most, as they tell 
noift thpv m ^ ortars > tbat ..\ vere planted opposite the city. It was at this 
f + th J fi de s . everal sallies ^ cut through our lines. The last attempt 

butthP^h • h VT, m v flatb0at8 » of wMch they had constructed many; 
but the 2d brigade had been stationed on picket at that point for several 

days, and thus their efforts to gain a crossing were foiled by the watchful¬ 
ness of the Eighth Wisconsin, 11th Missouri, 5th Minnesota and 47th Illinois 

tileifpart^o^nak tUrn> ) Vere ?f nt tMth f to S uai ' d against any effort on 
tlieir part to make a crossing. It was at this critical and dangerous noint 

ntTM^ tely ^ nd i r mouths of the rebel guns, that Col. Webber, of the 
11th Missouri volunteers, received his death wound from a piece of bursting 

sti\„T P 5? e g k fl e a C;iu He died ou tLe following da * and 4 

. n ^’ ! ' Rl J bblns ’ J'* 11 ': out riding a few evenings since, was thrown from his 
orse and severely injured. He has gone North. Lieut. Col. Jefferson is in 

of“he a regi ? ment e P0St ° f Point ’ a “ d Major Britton is in oommand 

mensel'v^ el f kaS g ° ne , si ? k ’ and our whole brigade is suffering im- 

at thTs pdnt FS a “ d ° h S ’ WhlC ‘ Seem t0 P revail ‘0 “ alarming extent 


. Camp Sherman, Miss., September 11, 1863 

Having received a furlough for thirty days, to enable me to visit my friends 
n Wisconsin, in company with fourteen others from said regiment I will 

Northern*regions. ° f the inCitots ™‘h XTrip’toIhe 

T>-^ ar P ap ty broke camp on the 4th of August, and proceeded to Black 
ivei Bridge, a distance of ten miles, where we were fortunate in finding 
a special train awaiting our arrival, to convey us to the city of Vicksburtf 
We procure"! passes from the Provost Marshal, and secured seats in St 
might be termed, m railroad parlance, a cattle car. We started on our ionr 
ney and arriving at Col. Fletcher’s headquarters, a distance of seven iS,' 
our tram was delayed some time awaiting the arrival of General Grant and 
lady, who were expected to join us from General Sherman’s heaSrtefs 
An hour elapsed, when it was announced that the general was comino- The 

iflv nf accom P a ” led by an escort of cavalry, came up, and the general and 
lady alighted and took seats in a box car, immediately in rear of the one our 

p, y occupied, and which had been previously prepared for their esnecial 
~s°hf had' ^ « the gallant 



TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN TIIE SOUTHWEST. 


139 


obtain passes, where we were informed, by the haughty official in brass but¬ 
tons, that passes could not be issued that night. This caused a delay of two 
days, as we had to await the departure of another boat. There being no 
hotels in the city, and no places of accommodation, where man or beast 
could procure the necessaries of life, we were obliged to “fall back ” upon 
the generosity of an “intelligent colored gentleman,” who proposed to board 
the party thirty days for five days’ rations. Having given up all hope of 
getting North—resolved that it would be difficult for us to proceed further 
without facilities for transportation; and while we duly appreciated the 
compliment paid us by the commanding general, in granting us furloughs 
for thirty days, we proposed to enjoy the freedom of the city of Vicksburg 
during the time limited, and at its expiration, return to our command, wher¬ 
ever it then might be. 

Having procured our transportation tickets, we proceeded to the head¬ 
quarters of the commandant of the post, for the approval of our provision 
return, from thence to the post commissary to draw our rations. Here we 
found that we would be obliged to wait “ our turn,” there being no less than 
three hundred in and around the building, the majority of whom were citi¬ 
zens and contrabands, who were there for the same purpose. Our patience 
being well nigh exhausted, and hunger rendering us ravenous, we made 
a rush through the unsympathizing crowd into the tabernacle, and demanded, 
in the name of General Grant and the Emancipation Proclamation of Hold 
Habe, that our rights as soldiers of the Federal army should be respected. 
This audacious raid proved successful, as the long coveted rations were 
forth coming instantly, consisting of hard tack, bacon, beans, coffee, sugar, 
tea, molasses, candles, soap, etc., which we hastily conveyed to the domicil 
of our kind host, and registered our names for thirty days. 

Our sojourn in the city proved but two days, when we embarked on board 
the steamer Gladiator, our fellow passengers numbering 500 furloughed 
men, among whom were many officers. The trip up the river was tedious, 
and devoid thus far of incident worthy of note—prices exorbitant and 
accommodations meagre. On the morning of the 8th ultimo we arrived at 
Memphis, where we remained during the day, thus affording us ample time 
to view the city. Visited the city park, in the centre of which stands the 
statue of the old iron hero, General Jackson, now defaced by the hand of 
some ruthless traitor. After visiting all places of note, and supplying our¬ 
selves with some necessaries and luxuries of which we had been deprived 
for some time, part of our company again took passage, at 5 p. m., on the 
steamer Graham, (the Gladiator having been detained by the inspecting offi¬ 
cer of contraband goods.) Our journey up the river to Cairo was rather 
exciting, from the fact of our boat being fired into by guerillas, near Helena. 
Arrived at Cairo at midnight of the 9th ultimo. Here we found the town 
filled with furloughed men. After ringing in all the changes on the “ red 
tape system,” procuring passes, transportation, etc., took the cars for Chi¬ 
cago on the morning of the 10th ult., and reached there next morning about 
2 o’clock, much rejoiced at once more reaching the borders of civilization. 
Remained in Chicago one day, when our party separated, and taking the 
train the morning of the 12th ult., reached the beautiful city of Madison 
the same evening; and, after traveling through a splendid country, fine 
cities, both south and west, this place still, in my humble opinion, bears off 
the palm for beauty of scenery. 

On the evening of the 13th, took the train for Green Bay, were delayed 
about two hours at Milton Junction, awaiting the arrival of the train from 
Chicago, when we took seats and made ourselves as comfortable as circum¬ 
stances would allow. Arriving at Fond du Lac at day dawn the following day, 
drove to our home, where we met many friends who welcomed our return from 
the war. Here we enjoyed some rest, after a fatiguing journey of over 1500 


140 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OH 


miles from the land of Dixie. Our stay here was of short duration, Having 
rested somewhat from our journey, took the cars and proceeded northward the 
same evening; arriving at Oshkosh, met many old familiar faces, not for¬ 
gotten after an absence of two years. Arrived at Appleton in time to accept 
an invitation to “tea,” with old friends of days gone by. Remained there 
until the morning of the 14th, when, after a ride of two hours on the North 
Western road, we found ourself snugly and comfortably quartered at the 
home of a relative in the quiet village of Howard, situated on the west¬ 
ern shore of Fox river, opposite the city of Green Bay. Having reached 
the terminous of the North Western Railroad, and the northern limits of 
civilization, we coolly threw asid our military garb, consisting of brass but¬ 
tons, etc., and “ turned in ” to dream of “all things dear,” such as ice lem¬ 
onades, ice cream and icebergs, after resting from our travels, made more 
tedious by the numerous and unreasonable delays on our northward bound 
trip. Remained at the “Bay” one week, during which time our visit was 
no less agreeable from the fact of having journeyed manv hundred miles to 
see our friends, many of whom had nearly grown out of our recollection. 
Here we met with a kind and hearty welcome, and enjoyed the pleasant 

th n C0 . unt 7> wbere man y years ago we “ young folks ” took such 
dehght in gathering for our pic-nic sports. There appeared no change in the 

«° i: Vll ?i W r d ?-I he f enes 0f many a ba PPy hour of school days, and the 
same old shady beach trees upon which we carved our “ sweethearts’ ” 
nam e s years ago were still undefaced by storm or the hands of traitors. 

T ond gh n? n - y ° f th ° Se dear ones have Passed away—gone to that Happy 
” l our memory we cherish them as the idols of our heart, and 
moui n their loss with painful regrets. Many have been united in the holy 
bands of matrimony, and are enjoying the connubial bliss of “ old age •” 
families are springing up around them, and a second generation is now be¬ 
ginning to bloom in the circles of society. 

SCen £ after a few years ’ absence, have been wrought in 
f 70 , 01 ' 6611 Bay ’ Ever y thin S appeared so foreign, but kind 
? m i ° U n C °“ 1Dg ’ a ? d we en joyed our visit in that quiet old 
town exceedingly Our time being limited, and having recruited somewhat 

ZZZ the 10 26 8 ti prcpared t0 take our leave - Accord- 
dpnart«r/f h m ^ ^ - blddm S “ good bye” to friends, we took our 

departure for Madison, arriving at Appleton after a few hours’ ride, here we 

OshVn n< ) d ° Ve i r one , day t0 bld the g irls good-bye and kiss the babies. At 

n £r\ZL\? h0Vt Stay ’ and ren . mil | ed at home in Fond du Lac over 
night. Taking the cars again, arrived at Madison on the 27th where 

Ld =V ntl1 the 3 l st inst ” Avhen we took the cars for Chicago 
2d inst dnrino 6 ?. Venmg * Remained there until the evening of the 

dur , 1 , 1Q g which time we were ouccupied in riding around the citv 
annovpf " P °] d acquaintances, and taking the last peep of city life WeTe 
news - b °y^ pedlars, molasses candy jirkers, and 
gers wh V V T e /r edingly solicitous t0 the wants of stran- 

“ *reen uni ”tw ^ ? ature wel1 ’ and can select out the 

-, g to a un l at a . glance. They expect because a “ feller ” happens to hes¬ 
itate at a show window, to view the “nice things,” he wants to buy every 
thing around him for forty rods. They tried to “ take in in ” onri a • a/ 
us out of what little curr/ncy we had leftflr Mu/e use If 
smile at them, or are in any way sociable, these impudent runners P take it 
tbat y™ are anxious to buy, and not until you have purchased 
their entire stock in trade, will you find yourself relieved of their society 
nd your greenbacks. We declared martial law upon the head of one of 

held» wbr mbat fl an H ab ° lition g ent lemen, because he called us a “Copper- 
head, when we flattered ourself that we possessed brass enough to make a 
thirty-two pounder—at any rate we should have gone, of before * 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


141 


Having purchased a few necessaries, and arranged matters preparatory to 
movement, we found ourself comfortably quartered in a sleeping car on the 
evening of the 2d inst., bound for Cairo. The train started at 11 p. in., we 
rode all night, and after traveling over those vast prairies of Illinois, arrived 
in Cairo next day, 3d inst., in time to connect with the steamer Hope , about 
starting for Memphis. As usual, we found the boat loaded down to the wa¬ 
ter’s edge, no less than 800 passengers were on board, thus found but little 
accommodation or comfort for a weary traveler. The boat started and we 
found ourself once more floating down towards Dixie. While on the trip, 
somewhere near Memphis our boat “ grounded,” where we lay nearly two 
days, and were obliged to call for the assistance of a gunboat before we 
could get off the bar. The Hope being heavily loaded, and the warter low 
in the river, we were compelled to anchor at night, it being unsafe to venture 
out. These delays were tedious, and contributed much to the usual hard¬ 
ships of steamboat travel. 

Arrived in Memphis on Sunday, 6th inst., where we had to remain until 
next day noon for another boat. Took passage on steamer Champion for 
Vicksburg, and arrived on the 9th inst. Although the Champion was heavi¬ 
ly loaded, and the weather extremely warm, our accommodations were bet¬ 
ter, and the*officcrs of the boat very courteous, much unlike those of the 
steamer Hope. We enjoyed the cool of the evenings in tripping the light 
fantastic toe, as we had a good piano on board, and several good looking la¬ 
dies, who participated in the dance with a right hearty good will. There 
being not ladies enough to make up two sett for a quadrille, broadcloth fur¬ 
nished a good substitute for crinoline, and we could not decline the polite in¬ 
vitation of the gentlemen to join them in the polka. We w r ere a lady in the 
dance, and found that coat-tails were no inconvenience as long as you could 
keep your feet going. But we arrived at last in Vicksburg, on the evening 
of the 9th, where we leave river navigation, with all its tedium of delays 
and persecutions to the mariner. Remained in that horrible dusty city until 
the morning of the 11th inst., waiting for transportation to convey us, with 
our numerous bundles of baggage to the regiment. When our patience was 
nearly exhausted we took the cars for Black River, where we arrived at 
noon in time to find a six mule wagon and a nigger driver awaiting our ar¬ 
rival. Embarked immediately, and a four hours ride through the melting 
sun and dust, brought us to camp, which we had been in search of for twelve 
days or more. 

This furlough system, in my opinion, may prove beneficial in many cases 
where sickness induces the applicant to go North, but as a general rule it is 
not worth what it costs, and the time limited for a man to remain at home is 
so brief he cannot realize much enjoyment. The trip is indeed a tedious 
one, steamboats a sioindle , accommodations poor, and prices exorbitant . It is 
sickness to a well man and death to a sick one, in nine cases out of ten of 
those who venture North at this season of the year. 


U2 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


Bear Creek, Miss., September 12th, 1863. 

In the distant wildwood, ’neath the shady beach trees, 

Where no croaking bull frogs greet our ears at night fall, 

May be found in quarters the gallant Eighth Wisconsin, 

Camped in summer quarters, on the banks of Little Bear Creek 
Having toiled thro’ marches—drove the rebels from each stronghold. 
.No more fighting, marching, toiling—into summer quarters going. 

— Shortfellow. 


. fem ? e our return ^ the tented field, after an absence of several weeks so¬ 
journ m the northern land of civilization, we again take up the pen to give 
your readers a few items from “way down south in Dixie.” We find but 
little to write about that will be of interest to the general reader, but such 
as we have, will we give unto thee. 

The most brilliant campaign of the war has just closed, and the troops 
comprising this army have gone into quarters, where they may seek some 
rest after the fatiguing marches of the last three months, and which they so 
deservedly merit The daily duties of camp life are being resumed once 
more, and the wild woods in which our camps are stretched present manv 
pleasant scenes of jollity, which tend to relieve the usual monotony of this 
romantic kind of life. Furloughs are being granted to five per cent, of the 
enlisted men of each regiment, thus affording them ample time to visit their 
friends at home, and recruit their health, which has been somewhat impair¬ 
ed by hardships and exposure. Many of the commissioned officers of this 
army have also been availing themselves of furloughs, and we will venture 
to state that at this time one-half will be a fair proportion of those absent 
from their commands. During the temporary absenee of Gen. Mower, who 
went North on sick leave some two months since, Lt. Col. Jefferson has been 
assigned to the command of our brigade, since which time he has proven his 
entire fitness for the position, and under his wise management the several 
regiments comprising this brigade are approaching the standard of perfec¬ 
tion in military deportment, and drill schools of instruction have been or¬ 
ganized m each of the regiments, among the commissioned and non-com¬ 
missioned officers, who evince a lively interest in these pleasant and instruc- 
tive duties. The sanitary condition of the camps has been greatly modified 
for the better health and comfort of the men; the police duties are system¬ 
atic, and the sickness which had been for some time past assuming an 
alarming increase, is now rapidly diminishing. S 

In this gallant and meritorious officer we have the utmost confidence Ever 
attentive to the interests and welfare of his men and the service he pos 
sesses the respect of all who come in contact with him. He ean be relied 
.upon at a 1 times and under all circumstances as an officer of superior mili¬ 
tary ability Cool and determined in battle, he is also kind and courteous in 
<camp. He has filled many high and honorable positions during the past 
two years of his service, with satisfaction to his superior officers? with hon¬ 
or to himself and credit to his command. Leaving friends and a lucrative 
business in the city of Madison, he was among the first to volunteer in the 
defense of his country Prompted by patriotism alone, he sacrificed all the 
luxuries and comforts of home, and came out to fight the cowardly assailants 
of our national honor. His record stands clear upon the pages of this Re¬ 
bellion, and we only trust that his acts may be no less approved at horn 
than they are admired by his daily associates in the field. He is no aspirant 
to political, honors, and seeks no position beyond which he merits The 
restoration of this glorious Union, unsevered and prosperous-free from 
the polhitmg hand of traitors and demagogues is paramount in his mind 
and while he enjoys the reputation of being a gentleman of strict integrity; 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


143 


ability and loyal t o the core, we bespeak for him an elevation which will 
prove the envy of his friends and an honor to its possessor. 

The “Live Eagle Regiment,” is encamped in a pleasant locality in the 
woods, on the banks of a lively stream called “Bear Creek,” which runs me¬ 
andering through the richest of valleys. Our regiment reports a larger 
number for duty than any other in our brigade, consequently we have more 
guard and fatigue duty to perform. Picketing is the principal duty at pres¬ 
ent, though not so arduous as to excite a murmur from the men. Major 
Britton is in command of the regiment, and Lieut. Sargent Co. G, is acting 
Adjutant; Lieut. Sprague is A. A. A. Gen. at Division Headquarters; Lieut. 
Christensen, Co. A, is A. A. A. Gen. at Brigade Headquarters; Lieut. Wood- 
worth, Co. C, is Aid de Camp, and WE command our rations. Allis quiet in 
this vicinity and only “now and then” do we hear of guerillas. 

Arkansas seems at present to be the scene qf operations, but we hope 
soon to hear of the complete extermination of Price and his cowardly fol¬ 
lowers. A dispatch received last evening at Division Headquarters, direct 
from Gen. Steele, brings the welcome intelligence of the capture of Little 
Rock by our forces; this is good news. 

The female contraband who has the honor of officiating in the culinary 
department of our mess, announces that T. is cooling, therefore, for the 
present. Au revoir. 


La Grange, Tenn., December 12. 1863. 

Two years and two months ago to-day, under the first call of the President 
for volunteers, the Eighth Regiment took its departure from “ Camp Ran¬ 
dall ” for the seat of war. The scenes and incidents through which it has 
passed, presents no parallel in the history of any of the other regiments 
which left the state at. so early a date. True, there are other regiments which 
show a greater increase in loss, and a less number for duty ; and while it is 
not our desire to depreciate the services rendered by our Badger brothers, 
who have ever shown their zeal wherever duty called them, we know that the 
duties of the Eighth Regiment have been extremely laborious, its services 
have been appreciated, hence, its duties have been more severe, and its posi¬ 
tion many times less desirable. In concluding this, a series of some fifty 
communications written at various times, as circumstances would allow', dur¬ 
ing our active field operations, we have endeavored to give, m our awkward 
“ off-hand ” style, the doings of the regiment. When last I wrote you, some 
time in September, the regiment was encamped on Little Bear Creek, Miss., 
twenty miles north-east of Vicksburg. On the 26th of that month, the regi¬ 
ment, with the brigade, marched twelve miles south-west of Big Black River 
Bridge, and w r ent into camp the following morning on the same ground oc¬ 
cupied by the regiment two months previous. The main force of this army 
having been ordered up the river, the 2d brigade was assigned to the duty of 
guarding the post. 

On the 13th October, as everything in and around camp was beginning to 
assume an air of quietude and comfort, marching orders w r ere received to 
move at a moment’s notice. The enemy having threatened us at various 
points along Black River, a force of about 10,000, including Gen. Tuttle’s 
division, of which our regiment forms a part, all under command of Major 
General McPherson, made a reconnoissance in the direction of Canton, for 
the purpose of ascertaining the strength of the enemy. At Brownsville, the 
second day out met a small force of rebel cavalry, and after a brisk little 
skirmish drove them pell-mell to and through the town, capturing a few 
prisoners. When the troops entered the place, everything was in a “blaze 



144 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


ot excitement. The citizens, men, women and children, were in a perfect 
tumult, running through the streets, overjoyed no doubt at the approach of 
the “Yankee Army.” Guards were dispatched for the protection of the 
pioperty of those who but a few hours before, perhaps, were in arms en¬ 
deavouring to check our advance into the town. Order bein<r soon restored 
the march was continued ten miles further east, on the road towards Can¬ 
ton, while our advance was engaged during the afternoon in skirmishing with 
the retreating foe. The third night out, we encamped along the road side 
prepared at a moment’s warning to go into battle —we taking position behind 
a pair of kicking mules. The following morning the troops resumed the 
march, while skirmishing was going on in the front. At noon cannonading 
was heard, and it was soon known that our advance were being engaged 
with the enemy. Orders came to “double quick” to the front. Boom* 
boom! came echoing back over the hills, announcing that the contest had 
commenced Aids and orderlies came “flying” along the line with orders to 
advance, while the heavily loaded commissary wagons were sent to the rear 
the ambulances were hastened to the front. The fighting becomes general, and 
after a few rounds of grape and canister are sent among the enemy by way 
of compliment, he soon makes his exit, leaving our forces conquerors of the 
held We are in close pursuit, but the enemy can beat us on a retreat, conse¬ 
quently we give up the chase, and go into camp for the night. Camp fires 
are springing up on the hills overlooking a portion of country not surpassed 
m beauty of scenery in any portion of the South through which we have 
.^st plantations greet the eye on every side, while the proprietors 
with then* families arebemg driven from their homes by the fiery element 
which is now raging within. Morning dawns upon them but to gaze back 
upon a heap of rums-once their homes. The tears of the womeS availeth 
nothing, and so long as the guilty culprit who committed the outrage cannot 
be identified, he goes unpunished, gloating over his earnings at such a wicked 
sacrifice. Truly this people have brought upon themselves an irretrievable 
luin; this country is being devastated, property destroyed, and the planta¬ 
tions laid waste wherever an army passes. The people of the South are 
beginning to loose confidence in their cause, and its instigators, and the °mer- 
nllas, who once were their support, are now infesting this country—com¬ 
mitting outrages only equalled in excess by the savages in the Northwest- 
while they plunder indiscriminately from both friend and foe Having be 
come satisfied that the enemy were in full retreat, and of too inferior force 
to wan ant a further advance, the general commanding ordered a retrograde 
movement, and the expedition returned via Clinton and Champion Hills to 
Black River reaching camp on the 19th, having marched altogether a dis¬ 
tance of eighty-five miles. & 

On the 7th ultimo, our division (Tuttle’s), took the cars for Vicksburg, and 

“ tran ® po 5 T ts ’ ih * fleet (consisting of ten steamers in allf pro- 
eeded up the river to Memphis, at which place we arrived on the 13th dis- 
ChSton ai ; d marching 1through the city to the depot of the Memphis and 
Charleston Railroad, took the cars and arrived same evening at LaGrano-e 
our present station Distance traveled 450 miles. The trip up the river 

7m7 C X a a f tedl0US ° ne ’ from the fact of the limited Amount of 

loom on the boat. The steamer Continental , one of the largest class on the 
liver, was assigned to the oth Minnesota, 47th Illinois, ami Eighth Wiscon¬ 
sin, and the 2d Iowa Battery, with the whole of our transportation, hence 
enwded while they suffered intensely from the damp 
chills of night while sleeping out on the decks with insufficient covering P 

to find 1 r 5 ? S 5 gned t0 r SUCh 0f the 0fficers wh0 were fortunate enough 

to find one. The table was fair, and as we found good music on board and 

a sufficient number of the “softer sex,” the long evenings were passed plea 


TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


145 


santly in tripping the “light fantastic toe,” to the tune of “Money Musk,” 
“Bonny Blue Flag,” and “Old Hundred.” 

The train conveying our brigade from Memphis to this place was fired 
into by guerrillas somewhere near Germantown, killing a negro and wound- 
ing two soldiers ot the 6th Minnesota. The head light of the locomotive 
was completely riddled with bullets. Our men returned the fire, but with 
what result we could not ascertain, as the train was then going at full speed. 

Nearly one year ago the regiment was stationed at this place—occupying 
a fort constructed of cotton bales, but now nothing remains of those for¬ 
midable works. The cotton, doubtless, has been shipped North by some one 
of those patriotic speculators, who follow the army for the purpose of ac¬ 
cumulating wealth and avoiding the draft. Companies “ A,” “D,” “E,” 
“I,” and “ K,” under command of Capt. Redfield, are stationed at Saula- 
bury, nine miles east, guarding the post and the railroad, while the balance 
of the regiment, with headquarters, are stationed at this place. Since our 
arrival, the duties of the regiment have been severe—nearly the whole com¬ 
mand being engaged in building fortifications, and performing picket and 
provost guard duty. We have had several “scares” on during the past 
week, in consequence of the enemy making his appearance along the line of 
railroad—threatening us at various points on the line, until it became neces¬ 
sary in the opinion of the commanding genei’al to test the strength of this 
force. Accordingly, on the 2d inst., (the 32d Wisconsin, and 25th Indiana 
volunteers having arrived from Memphis to relieve us), our whole division 
marched east in direction of Pocahontas, (the detachment rejoining the re¬ 
giment at Saulsbury.) A portion of the rebel force having succeeded in 
getting in our rear, made a raid on Saulsbury soon after the departure of 
our troops from that place, destroying all that was left, consisting of a few 
cars containing camp equipage belonging to some of our cavalry regiments, 
and about fifteen bales of cotton. The troops of the division continued the 
march—many times on double-quick. Skirmished with the enemy who made 
frequent sallies upon our advance, but he was driven back and forced to 
beat a hasty retreat before the undaunted courage of our brave troops. 
Learning that fears were entertained for the safety of this post, the expedi¬ 
tion returned to this place, arriving on the 3d inst., about 2 p. m., having 
made a forced march of twenty-five miles in its accomplishment. On the 
following morning (4th inst.,) an orderly from brigade headquarters, came 
riding down to our headquarters with orders to “fall in under arms” imme¬ 
diately ! as the enemy were upon us. In less time than I am in sketching 
it, the regiment was out in line of battle, awaiting further orders, when Gen. 
Mower, commanding brigade, came riding at full speed into camp with or¬ 
ders to proceed immediately on double-quick to the south-east of the town. 
This surely looked “like fight.” The regiment was hurried through the 
streets, and took position on a hill, a short distance from where the rebel 
cavalry had made its threatening appearance. A halt of half an hour, how- 
evei', proved that no attack on this point was intended on the part of the 
enemy ; the regiment and brigade were therefore ordered back to camp. A 
few hours later, however, heavy cannonading was heard in the direction of 
Moscow, some eight miles west of this place, showing that a fight was raging 
in that vicinity. The excitement became intense, and while the regiment 
could not participate in the engagement, we could hear the booming of the 
cannon, and count the progress of the fight.. The cavalry was sent out in 
force down the road, while the 32d Wisconsin, Col. Howe, and the 25th In¬ 
diana, Col. Morgan, were dispatched in haste, by rail, to the scene of opera¬ 
tions, but reached the battlefield too late to participate in the engagement, 
which, after an hour’s continuance, proved to us a victory. Col. Hatch, 
commanding the post with his small force, were led into ambush by the ene- 


10 


146 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


my, and before he could rally his command, sustained a severe loss, himself 
being severely wounded. The enemy captured about forty horses, while we 
received in lieu as many prisoners. In the retreat of the enemy, he burned 
a bridge or two near Collierville, destroyed the water tank on the railroad, 
at La Fayette, tore up the track, and “skedaddled,” with more horses than 
riders, towards Brownsville and Holly Springs. These cowardly operations 
do not appear to be of any great magnitude in our mind, but the rebel press 
are howling lustily over the brilliant achievements of Chalmers and his 
“butternut followers. On the 8th inst., the above named companies were 
again ordered to Saulsbury, where they are still stationed. The weather, 
aside from the cool nights, is delightful, and the men, many of them, throw 
aside their coats, while loitering around their tents. No snow has yet made 
its appearance here, and sleigh-rides are a luxury not granted by Providence 
to the native Tennesseean. La Grange is rather an antiquated town, and in 
peaceful times, could boast of about 1,600 population. Most of its wealthiest 
citizens, however, have migrated further South, while the remaining portion 
of its inhabitants are seeking protection at our hands. One old citizen, more 
noted for his peculiar Union sentiments than good sense, complains bitterly 
because his new board fence has been gradually diminishing within the past 
few nights. He considers these operations very offen(cc)sive ! 

SNUFF DIPPING. 

Among the many peculiar practices indulged in, by some of the ladies of 
the South, and a luxury entirely unknown and unpracticed at the North, is 

snuff-dipping. This peculiar institution has been in vogue for many 
years, and is not confined exclusively to the old women in spectacles, but is 
practised to a great extent, among girls in their “teens.” 

Among the more wealthy and aristocratic of the Southern belles, the 
practice of smoking is prevalent—“ Segaretts ” being preferable. On our 
advent into Holly Springs, Miss., a year ago, while the column was march¬ 
ing through the city, we spied upon the balcony of a stately mansion, some 
halt-dozen of these pretty Blondes and Brunettes, richly attired in Spanish 
costumes, with jocky hats, waving plumes and flowing ringlets, each in- 
dulgmg in the luxury of a “Segarette.” 

In “dipping” (more commonly called,) a bottle, containing perhaps half 
a pint, of highly flavored snuff is used. A brush or “ swob ” is prepared of 
hickory, for applying the snuff to the teeth. By chewing this piece of wood, 
or twig, until it becomes softened at one end, a brush is constructed, then 
the process commences. No matter where, when or how many are present, 
these maiden belles, with modesty seemingly unbecoming their sex, apply 
the preparation, and for the while, seek to drown their sorrow by scouring 
their pearly teeth with this stimulating beverage. 

A party consisting of one lieutenant and ten enlisted men, have been sent 
to the btate for the purpose of recruiting for the regiment. Many of the 
men, who have for a long time been absent from the regiment, on detached 
service, are coming back to the command, and the “ Old Eighth” is begin¬ 
ning to show a larger increase for duty. 

Later .—.December 14th.— The regiment has just been ordered to Sauls¬ 
bury, Tenn., nine miles east, to occupy and guard the post until further 
orders. The column is now on the move. 


TWO YBARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN TIIK SOUTHWEST. 


147 


Madison, Wis., May 1st, 1864. 

On the 1st of January, the Eighth Regiment was stationed at Saulsbury, 
Tenn., where it remained until the 27th, when it marched nine miles to La 
Grange, and bivouacked for the night, and on the following day moved by 
rail t o Memphis, arriving same evening, a distance of fifty miles. Bivouacked 
two days in the suburbs of the city, where the regiment received two months 
pay. 

On the 30th, embarked on steamer South Wester and proceeded down the 
river to Vicksburg, Miss., where it disembarked and marched to Black River 
Bridge, a distance of fifteen miles. On the 27tli Feb’y, the regiment, with a 
large force, started on an expedition through central Mississippi; arriving at 
Canton, it remained at this point a few days, when our division was ordered 
back to Vicksburg, marching 114 miles in seventy hours. On the 10th of 
March the regiment, with a force of about 20,000. under command of Brig. 
Gen. A. J. Smith, accompanied by Admiral Porter’s fleet, consisting of fif¬ 
teen iron clads, embarked on transports and proceeded down the river on 
an expedition through Red River country, La. After proceeding down the 
Mississippi, the fleet went up Red river a short distance, thence down the 
Atachafalayu river twelve miles to Shrevesport, when the troops from 
twenty transports, disembarked and marched four miles to Fort Scurry, lo¬ 
cated at the junction of Yellow Bayou with Bayou de Glaise, when an en¬ 
gagement ensued—the Eighth Wisconsin being in the advance—the result 
of which being favorable to our arms, in the capture of the entire garrison. 
After which, the force returned to the transports, remaining two hours, 
when the same force took up the line of march along Bayou de Glaise, and 
bivouacked seventeen miles out, at. 2 a. m. the following day. After remain¬ 
ing at this point about two hours to give the men some rest, the column was 
again put in motion—marching twenty-seven miles by 4 p. m.!—having 
passed through some of the most beautiful country since entering the secesh 
land—a perfect paradise, where nature had lavished the boasted beauties of 
her works on every hand, with now and then a quiet little French or Creole 
village peeping out from behind the distant hills, and whose inhabitants 
seemed joyous at the approach of our army; manifesting a desire to please 
our troops rather than otherwise, by displaying little white flags, waving 
handkerchiefs, etc. 

Arriving within one mile of Red river, in which direction the column was 
marching, met the enemy’s pickets, drove them in, and our troops were 
formed around Fort de liussy—a very^ strong work—this being the Fort 
that our gunboats attacked last spring, when we met with a repulse, losing 
the fine iron clad Queen of the West. Our troops stormed the work and 
carried it in twenty-five minutes, our loss being thirty killed and wounded 
out of the whole command. Captured ten large guns and 290 prisoners. 
Our transports then came up and we again embarked and proceeded up the 
river fifty miles to Alexandria, La., the rebels taking advantage of our ap¬ 
proach, by “skedaddling” as soon as our gunboats hove in sight. Here the 
force remained two days, when the Eighth Wisconsin, together with five oth¬ 
er regiments, under command of Brig. Gen. Mower, proceeded thirty-five 
miles hy land in one day, to Harrison’s Hill, which is situated north of Al¬ 
exandria on Bayou Rapids, near where Bayou Becauf forms a junction with 
the former. The weather was quite stormy and the roads heavy, having 
rained nearly all day long. Taking advantage of the darkness of the night, 
Gen. Mower surrounded and surprisee a rebel camp, and captured 275 pris¬ 
oners, four fine field guns and 400 horses. 

Being absent from the command at the present writing, we are unable to 
trace the doings of the regiment further, and while thanking my friends in 
the regiment for incidents of their travels during the past month, we leave 
them, April 1st, at Alexandria, awaiting the rise in the river to enable the 


148 


OPENING OF THE MISSISSIPPI; OR 


fleet to proceed to Slirivesport, when its already successful arms may win 
new iaura s in the utter annihilation of the entire rebel force in that vicinity 
While “Sherman’s” veterans, 10,000 strong, (temporarily campaigning in 
Gen Banks department,) take the advance. “Banks,” with 17,000 men from 
he Gulf, and “ Steel, with a large force from Little Rock, will have joined 
them, the Red River rebels, who now infest that beautiful country, will 
number among the things that were,” and no longer a terror to its loyal 
inhabitants. J 

I he Eighth Regiment re-enlisted as veterans two months ago, and were 
promised furloughs to enable them to come to the state, but the exigencies of 
the service would not admit of its coming home at the time, it was therefore 
ordered into an active campaign, in which it is at present engaged. As soon 
as practicable—probably within the present month—Lieut. Col. Jefferson will 

mos^deservin^ men ^ t0 e ^° y a brief forlou S b ’ of which it is certainly 

During the past two months, the duties of the regiment have been extremely 
arduous, while its marches and privations have been unequaled in severity 
by any of the former campaigns in which it has been engaged, and a cam¬ 
paign which will be memorable in the history of this war, as surpassing all 
others, m brilliancy of its achievements. 

»c£‘l!;5 0bb r 8 , ten ^ ercd his resignation, August 29tli, 1863, and not being 
f s f “rIongh was granted him, since which time, he has been absent 
from the command. 2d Lieut., Peter B. Willoughby, Co. “ H ” was promoted 
to captain of said company, October 26th, 1863, vice Estee, deceased. Captl 

JIr'iSB? j\ C .°V ■ D : „"' a ! transferred to the veteran reserve corps, April 
^ , 1864, and 1st Lieut. Benjamin S. Williams was promoted to captain of ' 
said company same date, vice Dawes, transferred F 

t en 0 i“.o r t T rUiti ” g Pa . rty haS bcen ° rdeml bsck - abou * 150 recruits Lave been 
hem to the regiment. 


List °f Deaths in Regiment, of which official notice has hem 
Adjutant General's Office , since October 1st, 1863 . 


received at 


the 


Rank. 


Private,... 


1st Ser.g't, 
Private,... 


Thomas Hodges. 

Jas. W. Hooper,. 

Chas. Russell,. 

Geo. T. Woodward, 
Myron S. Gifford,... 

Frederick Lang,. 

F. A. Wilder,. 

John Dave,. 

Wm. Conroy,. 

W. J. Oliver,. 

jJohn M. Powell,. 

Chas. Corse,. 

’Edwin C. Rowse,.... 



Nov. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

Dec. 

Oct. 

Jan. 

Oct. 

Jan. 

Oct.. 

Aug. 

Nov. 

Oct. 


16 , '63 
19 , ’63 

10 , ’63 
31 , ’64 

11 , ’ 63 ; 
1 , ’63 

6 , ’64 

7 , ’63 
15 , ’64 
10 , ’63 

12 , ’63 
14 , ’63 
5 , ’63 


Cause. 


Inflamation bowels,. 
Chronic diarrhoea,.... 


Chronic diarrhoea,. 

Fever,. 


Bellious fever,. 

Chronic diarrhoea,., 


Billious typhoid fever,. 

General debility,. 

Chronic diarrhoea,. 


Place. 


. La Grange, Tenn. 

. Memphis, Tenn. 
Benton Bar’ks, Mo. 

. Memphis, Tenn. 

. Vicksburg, Miss. 

. Batavia, Wis. 

. Memphis, Tenn. 

. B k liiv. Bridge, Miss. 
iMemphis, Tenn. 
[Jefferson B’ks, Mo. 

I ‘ • • t it 

[Vicksburg, Miss. 
[Racine, Wis. 



































TWO YEARS’ CAMPAIGNING IN THE SOUTHWEST. 


149 


THE SOLDIER. 

The life of a soldier in the field is one of changes—of sunlights and 
shadows, varying as the circumstances of his position may demand. At 
times his spirits may be buoyant and cheerful, while at others he may 
feel despondent and gloomy. In camp, he passes through the usual rou¬ 
tine of duties which he may be called upon to perform—such as picket, 
patrol and grand guard duty, and returns to his quarters, where he gives 
himself credit for the labor he has performed. In sunshine and shower he 
is subject to detail, and when called upon he is ever found ready to respond 
to the call of duty, be it ever so perilous. At times he feels as though he 
were a loyal threshing machine, through which others may reap a harvest 
of renown, and is only consoled in the belief that certain favorable events 
may transpire which will aft’ord him relief. AYhileon guard, he is constant¬ 
ly counting the hours as they pass drearily by, and he knows full well when 
the time arrives for his successor to make his appearance. Thus the soldier 
might properly be termed a “time piece,” for what he performs to-day may 
be a repitition of yesterday; thus he becomes a “repeater/’ ever watchful to 
the interests of his government, and the cause in which he is engaged. 
He shares the hardships of a campaign without a murmur, and he feels a 
pride in being classed as one of our country’s patriots—possesses a hatred 
•f treason, and proudly assails any indignity shown the “old flag” under 
which the hope of his country, and his life is periled. United they become 
as one, and every feeling and principle is blended into a compact. Thus, a 
concert of action may always be found to operate against any opposition 
on the part of those who unjustly seek to overthrow this once peaceful and 
prosperous Union. 


Oa 7th page, 9th line, opposite “Win. Hobbins,” the County should read 
^Dane instead of “St. Croix.” 

On 11th page, 21st line, it should read 14/4 Oct. instead of “4t.h.” 

On 14th page, 7th line, it should read 11th Wis. instead of “14th.” 

On 33d page, Co. “A,” opposite Serg’t Bumpus, it should read 1863 instead 
of “1862.’’ In Co. “B,” Odell, Shaw and Grant were Privates, and 
Monk and Hogue were Corporals. 

In Co. “ I,” 35tli page, it should read Abram I. Nash, instead of “Andrew J.” 
—Nelson Sanders, instead of “Landers.” Simeon Overon , instead of 

“ Owen.”— [Martin Bassett , not dead.)- Lora Holbrook, instead of 

“Lra.”— Tver Olson, instead of “ Ives.”—Ole Larson, instead of “ Las- 
son.” James Kendall, instead of “Randall.”— WatermanH. Cinnamon, 

instead of “William,” and Samuel Asbary , instead of “Osbury.”_In 

Co. “K,” Orin White was a Corporal , instead of a “ Private.” 

On 36th page, in column of “Remarks,” the words “ Prisoners and'' should 
be dropped. 

Owing to errors occurring in Regimental Monthly Returns, the column of 
“cause’ on pages 33, 34 and 35, is incomplete. 
























